28 (Proceedings of the 



into certain outlines of structure is another thing ; the vitaliza- 

 tion of the matter would seem to be yet another thing. Mr. 

 Prescott was predisposed, by all that he knew in science, to be- 

 lieve that chemical force is wholly distinct in operation from the 

 force that produces organization, and from the force that effects 

 vitalization. When chemical force has constructed the mole- 

 cule, it has done. From its very nature, it can do no more. 

 There is a current way of almost ascribing crystallization to 

 chemical force ; but of course no structure larger than the mole- 

 cule can be due to chemical force. Now, it seemed almost self- 

 evident, that the formation of all molecules is due to one sort 

 of immediate cause, as much in tissues as in rocks, and as truly 

 in the gelatinous substance of bone as in the calcium phosphate 

 of bone. It appears to be the essential position of Dr. Beale, 

 that chemical force cannot produce organization or vital action. 

 Now, this strong position is not at all supported, but is weak- 

 ened and controverted, by the doctrine that vital force forms 

 molecules by uniting atoms. To suppose that vital or organiz- 

 ing force can hold together the elements in the substance albu- 

 men is but one degree less absurd than to suppose that chemical 

 force can construct cells from albumen molecules. There is a 

 gulf fixed between the formation of matter, homogeneous as it is 

 under the most powerful microscope, and the organization of 

 matter into cells ; and this gulf can no more be crossed from the 

 side of vitality than from the side of chemism. The main posi- 

 tion of Dr. Beale, that chemical force does not effect organiza- 

 tion or vital action, would not be affected in the least should it 

 occur, in ten years or in fifty years, that albumen should be syn- 

 thesized in the laboratory. 



Mr. Prescott thought that organic chemists would not agree 

 with Mr. Bloxam, as quoted, that no permanent constituent of 

 tissue has been chemically synthesized. Perhaps it would be 

 difficult to decide or to agree as to what are permanent or essen- 

 tial constituents of tissue ; but perhaps it would be agreed that 

 fats are such. Caproin and caprin are tolerably complex fats, 

 and they have been synthesized. 



