276 * Dynamic Theory. 



of locomotion becomes essential to it and must be constantly put in 

 practice, and as a necessary consequence become gradually improved and 

 developed. Observe that what the Amoeba appears to do automatically, 

 it is in reality merely an instrument for doing, the real agent being out- 

 side of itself. Even the polarities of its constituent atoms and molecules 

 by which they are caused to fasten themselves to each other and to new 

 atoms in growth and renewal of tissue, are made to become operative * 

 by heat furnished directly or indirectly from the outside. Withdraw 

 the heat till the temperature falls to freezing point and the movements 

 of the animal are no longer possible ; its affinities are no longer in 

 operation. The principle of differentiation seems much less miraculous 

 when it is viewed as the work of a competent external energy, than 

 when thought of* as spontaneous. The development of a limb or a sense 

 organ then is not a spontaneous operation. What chance indeed is there 

 for spontaneity in a speck of protoplasm ? What could be meant by 

 such an expression ? If it means that the protoplasm has innate origi- 

 nal energy of its own, then it would have to be admitted that such 

 energy is in definite quantity and very small quantity at that. Con- 

 sequently any activity of the organism would soon exhaust its energy 

 and then it would be dead. According to the axioms of physics, some- 

 thing cannot come from nothing, nor can power originate from no- 

 power. A mill-pond may seem to supply the water that runs the mill, 

 but the pond would soon be dr} 7 if a stream did not constantly run into 

 it, and but for the stream, there would have been no pond to begin with. 

 So of the organism ; what stock of force it may have by virtue of its 

 organization was left there by the energy which organized it, and it 

 would be exhausted by the first instant of activity if that energy did not 

 every instant reinforce it. The form of energy concerned in putting to- 

 gether atoms, molecules and cells, is usually called Polar Energy; for 

 the reason that its activity appears to be especially directed and concen- 

 trated with reference to particular points or poles of the units operated 

 with. These poles are supposed to be the points at which the attach- 

 ments between molecules, &c. , are formed. There can be no doubt, in 

 fact it is proved that the form of a mass of matter determines the posi- 

 tion of its poles, and consequently the manner in which the polar energy 

 shall affect it. The action of the polar currents by attaching new par- 

 ticles to a mass, changes its shape, and this in turn changes the direc- 

 tion and effect of the polar energy ; just as a stream of water by en- 

 croachments upon its banks throws down materials which react to 

 obstruct and deflect the current, and pave the way for further encroach- 

 ments in another place. The movement of ethereal matter which con- 

 stitutes the polar current, like the movement of water, always takes the 

 direction of the least resistance, and the attachment of new particles to 



