350 The Vital Element: Its Three Modes 



adjective potential had indicated a vital non-activity at 

 that time, become entirely compatible in consequence of 

 the hypothesis which we have just set forth. For accord- 

 ing to this hypothesis, the element would be potential in 

 so far as each of the two coupled accumulators would be 

 able to furnish at need its proper extra-nuclear functional 

 nervous discharge, and it would at the same time be coh- 

 ceived as in a vital process by reason of the intra-nuclear 

 oscillating discharge, which continues incessantly between 

 the two accumulators. Vital energy could thus present 

 itself in three distinct modes: (i) In the potential, 

 properly so called, which expresses itself in the phenom- 

 ena of actual suspension of life or lethargy in its widest 

 sense; (2) In the oscillatory potential or the intra- 

 nuclear oscillating discharge, which constitutes the 

 essence of the period of so called "functional repose," 

 "organic reconstitution" of materials afterwards to be 

 consumed, "assimilative synthesis," or "vital creation;" 

 (3) Finally in the actual proper, or the extra-nuclear 

 non-oscillating discharge, which constitutes the period of 

 "excitation," "functional activity," "wear and tear," 

 '''consumption of material stored up in the rest period," 

 "disassimilation," or "vital destruction." 



As conclusion of our exposition let us note very 

 briefly that also for three others of the most fundamental 

 phenomena associated with vital activity this hypothesis 

 upon the nature of life presents at least the beginning of 

 an explanation. These are : rhythmicity, a characteristic 

 property of all life phenomena; the phenomena of fecun- 

 dation and rejuvenesence in general ; and nuclear division 

 with its characteristic and remarkable details. 



A whole series of facts forces us to the opinion, that 



