IS LIFE UNIVERSAL? 135 



to function) we may be sure that the other is also 

 present. That which is to one thing the storing up 

 of force, must be the giving off of force to another. 

 We shall perceive it as either, according to the view 

 we are taking at the time. The storing up of force 

 within the animal frame usurps to itself, especially, 

 the name of nutrition, because our regard naturally 

 centres upon ourselves and upon that which is most 

 kindred to us. 



But it might be that beings, different from our- 

 selves, should look upon the other side of this pro- 

 cess, and see in the animal nutrition rather a loss 

 than a gain of force a dying rather than a coming 

 into life. Nature in this respect is like the books of 

 a commercial firm. When there is no change in the 

 total, however the various amounts may be shifted, 

 there is necessarily always an equal loss and gain, 

 and each change will be regarded as one or the other 

 according to the interests affected. Surely it is but 

 fair that we should recognize this rigid equity, and 

 try to look upon ourselves, sometimes, as if through 

 alien eyes. We are but borrowers from Nature's 

 store, and what she showers on us with open hand 



