32 THE LESSON OF EVOLUTION 



formed once, and once only, on the surface of the 

 sea. Now, in the origin of living substance on this 

 planet, we have a case which is generally recognised as 

 a break in continuity. It is generally allowed that it 

 was an action which is not only incomprehensible by 

 us, but one which conflicts with our knowledge of 

 natural laws. That an unstable chemical compound, 

 endowed with the power of directing energy indepen- 

 dently of any outside agent, should have been brought 

 into existence by the action of known physical laws is 

 an impossibility. The processes of assimilation and 

 fission, on which all progress depends, are quite distinct 

 from anything that had gone before. And, as every 

 living cell is imbued with what we call instinct, which 

 directs its energies, it follows that in physiology action 

 and reaction are not equal and opposite. Indeed, every 

 organism inherits from its parents a store of energy 

 which directs growth, and which appears to be inex- 

 haustible. It is drawn upon during the whole period 

 of growth, which in some plants lasts all through life, 

 and yet abundance is left for transmission to its off- 

 spring, no matter how numerous they may be. The 

 store increases instead of diminishes ; and we cannot 

 tell why. 1 Until some explanation can be given, it is 

 not only permissible but reasonable to view the origin 

 of life as due to some guiding action outside of natural 

 law ; especially when we remember what that break 

 in continuity has led to. 



1 Life appears to consist in the power of directing the movements of 

 the molecules of protoplasm. It is impossible for us to understand 

 how these movements can be controlled without the application of 

 physical force ; and yet life cannot be a form of physical force because 

 it disappears altogether at death. Perhaps life might be defined as 

 the action of mind on protoplasm. 



