Conclusion 97 



attraction or to an intracellular contraction (if not to some other 

 cause altogether) the geometrical relationship of the nuclei con- 

 sidered in either connection is a matter of some interest. 



While strongly inclined to adhere to the attraction hypothesis 

 because it is simpler and more fundamental in its application I fully 

 admit the force of Professor Bateson's criticism. 



I admit quite frankly that I am advocating a vitalistic explana- 

 tion for the prime biological phenomenon, namely cell division. 

 By this I mean a form of energy evolved by and peculiar to the 

 complex nature of the molecule of protoplasm or of protoplasms 

 which exhibits so long as it retains the power of persistence an 

 unceasing recurrence of a bipolar state out of a unipolar state 

 which since the material is fluid induces the separation of the 

 material aggregated round each pole, thereby multiplying the 

 units and tending towards the establishment of more and more 

 complex systems. 



At so early a stage of inquiry it is impossible to determine how 

 the bipolar state is to be derived from the unipolar state. Possibly 

 it may be always bipolar, but when the energy is at its lowest ebb, 

 namely when the cell is, as we say, in its resting stage, the poles 

 are so close to one another as to be indistinguishable and to act 

 in respect of external bodies as a single pole. But when the evolu- 

 tion of the energy grows in intensity as the result of metabolic 

 activity the poles are driven further and further apart owing to the 

 fluid nature of protoplasm until their separation occurs, whereupon 

 each mass becomes instantly bipolar ; but now the storm is over 

 and the two poles in each daughter cell or nucleus lie so close 

 to one another as to be indistinguishable. It is interesting to 

 remember that in some cases the centrosome (which may when 

 present mark the position of the pole or poles) appears to be 

 doubled almost as soon as the daughter nucleus is formed. 



Perhaps, however, this may be altogether too fanciful ; but my 

 point is, if we are to have a vitalistic theory of biology I submit 

 that it must be sought for somewhat along the lines here indicated 

 rather than in the more mystical form presented by Driesch's con- 

 ception of Entelechy, though Entelechy might be a coordinating 

 complex of this and other forces. 



It is with the hope of gaining the attention of those who are 



A. v. E. 7 



