THE BREATH OF LIFE 



ii 



Where, then, shall we look for the key to this mys- 

 terious thing we call life? Modern biochemistry 

 will not listen to the old notion of a vital force — 

 that is only a metaphysical will-o'-the-wisp that 

 leaves us floundering in the quagmire. If I question 

 the forces about me, what answer do I get? Molecu- 

 lar attraction and repulsion seem to say, "It is not 

 in us; we are as active in the clod as in the flower." 

 The four principal elements — oxygen, nitrogen, 

 hydrogen, and carbon — say, "It is not in us, be- 

 cause we are from all eternity, and life is not; we 

 form only its physical basis." Warmth and mois- 

 ture say, "It is not in us; we are only its faithful 

 nurses and handmaidens." The sun says: "It is not 

 in me; I shine on dead worlds as well. I but quicken 

 life after it is planted." The stars say, "It is not in 

 us; we have seen life come and go among myriads 

 of worlds for untold ages." No questioning of the 

 heavens above nor of the earth below can reveal 

 to us the secret we are in quest of. 



I can fancy brute matter saying to life: "You 

 tarry with me at your peril. You will always be on 

 the firing-line of my blind, contending forces; they 

 will respect you not; you must take your chances 

 amid my flying missiles. My forces go their eternal 

 round without variableness or shadow of turning, 

 and woe to you if you cross their courses. You may 



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