15 



crowning phenomenon we call consciousness. All the 

 phases of mind knowins^ are in the latter, and one ])hys- 

 ical cell is the equivalent, prototype or representative 

 integer of a multitude that constitute the body in its 

 coni])leteness. These distinct individual cells may have 

 varied functions, hut the vital energy controls them, 

 prevents antagonisuis, and procures concord of action to 

 accomi)lisli unity of purpose. 



We see organisms of the lowest order multiply. their 

 kind l)y a division of themselves. This inherent power 

 causes these separate parts to have a family resem- 

 blance. Each of these has a power to move, to feed, 

 to grow, to multiply and to have a harmony of action 

 in all their parts. No such complicity of power can be 

 seen in chemical action and affinitv. Then, look at the 

 laws of heredity — the transmission of i)eculiarities of 

 disposition, of idiosyncrasy, of resemblances, of ten- 

 dencies to particular diseases, of constitutional and 

 physical appearance to both j)arents in one case, in a 

 second to only one, in a third to neither ; of stupidity 

 producing intelligence, and genius begetting medioc- 

 rity; of so much in conunon between parents and 

 children, yet so much diversity in the nearest ap- 

 proach to likeness, even among the members of the 

 same family. In the descending series of existences 

 this diversity decreases until we come to the sameness 

 of crystallization. The building power is more cir- 

 cumscribed in its capacity, although more general in its 

 application, the lower it goes in the scale of existence. 

 Look at the strange tendency toxical agents have to 

 assail distinct portions of nerv^e tissue, as if each sec- 

 tion had a different molecular arrangement. Strychnia, 

 aconite, opium, alcohol, prussic acid, belladonna, select 

 their locations with unerring aim whenever they come 

 in contact with a nervous organization. There is no 



