ON CATAGENESIS. 435 



conversion of energy, by the mechanisms which it has, by evolu- 

 tion, constructed. Thus, if the inorganic forces are the products 

 of a primitive condition of energy which had the essential char- 

 acteristics of vital energy, it has been by a process of specializa- 

 tion. As we have seen, it is this specialization which is every- 

 where inconsistent with life. 



With these preliminary remarks we may now consider very 

 tentatively the relations of the different kinds of energy to each 

 other and to consciousness. In practice it is sometimes difficult 

 to draw the line between conscious and unconscious states of 

 energy. One reason is that, although a given form of energy 

 may be unconscious, consciousness may apprehend the action by 

 perceiving its results. The distinction is rendered clearer by 

 the reflection that we can perceive by sight or touch any action 

 of the body of whatever character The energy of the conscious 

 type is therefore altogether mental. The relations may be ex- 

 pressed as follows : 



A. Designed (always molecular). Examples, 



I. Conscious. 



1. Involving effort " Voluntary " acts. 



Passive perception. 



2. Not involving effort > _, 



( Conscious automatism. 



II. Unconscious. 



3. Involving mental process Unconscious automatic. 



4. Not involving mental process , Reflex. 



B. Not designed. 



I. Molecular. 



5. Electric, 



6. Chemical, ) 



;- p, . , r Crystallific and non-crystalline. 



II. Molar. 

 8. Cosmic. 



The only strictly molar energies of the above list are the cos- 

 mical movements of the heavenly bodies. The others are molec- 

 ular, although they give rise to molar movements, as those of the 

 muscles, of magnetism, etc. Some molar movements of organic 

 beings are not, in their last phases, designed ; as those produced 

 by nervous diseases. 



The transition between the organic and the inorganic energies 

 may be possibly found in the electric group. Its influence on life, 

 its production of contractions in protoplasm, and its resemblance 

 to nerve force, are well known. It also compels chemical unions 



