252 Anima Mundi. 



a reference to "the play of atoms and molecules 

 under the operation of laws." The obvious 

 question instinctively recurs : How come these 

 atoms and molecules to act with preconcerted 

 harmony, and " like disciplined squadrons under 

 a governing eye, arranging themselves into bat- 

 talions, gathering round distinct centres, and 

 forming themselves into solid masses," 1 move 

 with unerring precision towards a predetermined 

 goal? This is the question which, not in 

 consequence of its experience but in virtue of 

 its constitution, the human mind is compelled 

 to ask. To answer it by referring to laws self- 

 constituted, or atoms self-posited, or molecules 

 self-adjusted, is to leave untouched the very 

 thing to be accounted for. What the mind 

 demands a reason for is, the exquisite adjust- 

 ment here alleged : " and this reason is not 

 rendered by referring the inquirer to the opera- 

 tion of laws ; for, apart from and outside of 

 matter, there are no such entities in existence 

 as the laws of matter. The laws of matter are 

 simply the mode, in which matter in virtue of 

 its constitution, acts. Oxygen unites chemically 

 with hydrogen, in certain proportions, under 

 certain conditions, simply because of the quali- 

 ties or attributes wherewith these two gases are 

 1 " Fragments of Science," p. 448. 



