8 THE THEORY OF IONS 



than those emitted from radio-active bodies, are so 

 constituted as to be not only the connecting-link 

 between the physically inert particles of a gross 

 material and the living molecules of an organised 

 system, but that they are materials already on their 

 way to form new chemical substances. We may 

 find that ions derived from chemically organic sub- 

 stances, hitherto classed as dead matter, already 

 exhibit some of the characteristics of living matter. 

 It is not considered that ions are actually living 

 substance ; but that they are in a condition in which 

 the characteristics of vital matter may readily be 

 developed. We may find that the process of 

 vitalising matter is evolutionary. That life is not 

 conferred upon gross inorganic matter, but the living 

 matter assimilates ions of various kinds, and that 

 ions alone constitute matter which is ready for 

 organisation. 



The only chemical compounds which are peculiar 

 to living substance or protoplasm are the group of 

 albuminoids ; and the only element which is capable 

 of building up these albuminoids is carbon. All the 

 albuminoid compounds of carbon have an intricate 

 molecular architecture, and their structure is un- 

 stable. These compounds of carbon, nitrogen, 

 hydrogen and oxygen, with sulphur or phosphorus, 

 alone possess the specific fluidity and exhibit the 

 phenomena of movement which are characteristic 

 of living matter. When considered separately the 

 phenomena of movement and reproduction are the 

 only two characteristics of living matter which are 

 peculiar to the compounds of carbon and nitrogen. 

 Growth is in a sense exhibited by other bodies. This 



