II 



LIFE 



Definition of life — Comparison with a flame — Organism and 

 organization — Machine theory of Hfe — Organisms without 

 organs: monera — Organization and hfe of the chromacea — 

 Stages of organization — Complex organisms — Symbolic 

 organisms — Organic compounds — Organisms and inorganic 

 bodies compared in regard to matter, form, and function — • 

 Crystalloid and colloid substances — Life of crystals — 

 Growth of crystals — Waves of growth — Metabolism — 

 Catalysis — Fermentation — Biogenesis — Vital force — Old 

 and new vitalism — Palavitalism — Anti vitalism — Neo- 

 vitalism. 



AS the object of this work is the critical study of the 

 i. wonders of life, and a knowledge of the truth con- 

 cerning them, we must first of all form a clear idea of the 

 meaning of "life" and "wonder," or miracle. For 

 thousands of years men have appreciated the difference 

 between life and death, between living and lifeless bodies ; 

 the former are called organisms, and the latter known as 

 inorganic bodies. Biology — in the widest sense — is the 

 name of the science which treats of organisms ; we might 

 call the science which deals with the inorganic "abi- 

 ology," abiotik, or anorgik. The chief difference be- 

 tween the two provinces is that organisms accomplish 

 peculiar, periodically repeated, and apparently spon- 

 taneous movements, which we do not find in inorganic 

 matter. Hence life may be conceived as a special 

 process of movement. Recent study has shown that 

 this is always connected with a particular chemical 



27 



