128 THE THEORY OF IONS 



It will only bow to the laws of energy, and cease to 

 exist when our knowledge of natural phenomena has 

 reached a higher level than at present. This know- 

 ledge can only be gained through more exhaustive 

 research in organic domains by the aid of bio- 

 chemistry, and further dynamical research into the 

 relations of matter and force. There are forces at 

 present only vaguely understood, forms of matter so 

 subtle that it is almost impossible to say they are 

 material. There are forms of matter, like radium, 

 from which inconceivably minute particles radiate 

 at a velocity of two thousand miles a second, and the 

 exhaustion of a minute grain of which would occupy 

 millions of years. The energy radiating from such 

 matters is exceedingly great ; and our knowledge of 

 such substances is very recent. As knowledge pro- 

 gresses other forms of force not yet known or under- 

 stood may come within our cognisance and help to 

 make clear the subject of vitality. It is conceivable 

 that matter is energy in another form. That the 

 energy which renders matter active and capable of 

 uniting into organic molecules arises by the trans- 

 formation of energy possessed by infinitesimal par- 

 ticles radiating throughout the universe. If energy 

 is not matter in another form, it is so closely asso- 

 ciated with it that one might almost say that force 

 is indissoluble from matter ; that where matter is, 

 there also is energy ; and that the more complex the 

 molecules become the higher is the form of force 

 associated with the material forming them, and so 

 from ions which convey electricity matter passes 

 through various stages of activity, until it reaches 

 the highest form in the cells of the nervous system. 



