LIFE PROTOPLASM 107 



form the sun also. And as necessary is the ether, as 

 necessary are its properties, and measures, and forms of 

 action, and adjustments. We have thus a fifth element 

 introduced, differing widely from carbon, oxygen, hydro- 

 gen, and nitrogen, and yet accurately measured for them, 

 and adjusted to them, in such a way and measure of 

 action, as to come to their aid and enable them to build, 

 beat, and live. These molecules were therefore made 

 for the ether, and the ether for the molecules. Thus, 

 if we take into account the contingencies in the four 

 chemical elements, in their possessing characteristics 

 fitting them for being built into the combinations and 

 complexities of the structure, that yield protoplasmic life, 

 the necessity that it and all matter connected with it 

 should have a certain number of heat motions, and not go 

 beyond a certain number, that there should be an ether, 

 differing widely from molecules, and yet adjusted to 

 them, so as to convey heat motions from the sun, in these 

 things we surely have facts that ought not to be capable 

 of being misunderstood. 



If a life element be postulated, if, in addition to the 

 molecules and ether, another entity of a higher nature 

 exist, the multitude of contingencies is not diminished, 

 the evidence for the operation of mind loses nothing of 

 its force. In this case every atom of the four elements 

 is not only measured and adjusted to every other atom 

 and to the ether, but to an additional vital element ; and 

 the vital element is measured and adjusted to them, so as 

 to be capable of taking hold of them and building them 

 up into a complex life structure. The vital element is in 

 its nature far apart from the atoms and ether. Its pro- 

 perties are peculiarly its own. Its specialties and modes 

 of operation are strikingly singular. And yet in its 

 every characteristic it is measured for action on the 



