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PROF. LIONEL S. BEALE, F.R.C.P., F.R.S., ON VITALITY. 
been discovered concerning the general nature, and if 
possible the origin, of life. The differences of opinion now 
entertained are extreme andirreconcilable. Some authorities 
maintain that living things are entirely dependent upon 
physical and chemical changes only, and that varying conditions 
acting from without also exert a powerful influence. Indeed, 
by many this external influence is supposed to be all sufficient 
to account for the vital phenomena occurring within every 
living organism, Some look upon living things, including 
ourselves, aS mere machines—as machines such as are made 
by man. On the other hand, in favour of the view that all 
actions occurring in living organisms depend upon vital 
power, and that there is nothing mechanical in life, growth, 
and vital action, the evidence is strong. 
Again, some hold that there is no evidence of design—no 
plan or purpose in creation. Twelve months ago Dr. Walter 
Kidd gave us a most interesting paper on this great question, 
and it is to be regretted that he has not been rewarded for 
his trouble by adequate intelligent discussion and criticism. 
Many papers read here certainly deserve more notice, more 
consideration and discussion than they meet with; and 
scientific men who differ ought certainly to state the 
grounds of their opinions, instead of repeating conflicting 
doctrines again and again without replying to the objections 
which have already been raised to their strange physical 
views. Having asserted their physical doctrines, they leave 
the problem of life as it was, severely alone, in the hope, I 
suppose, that no more will be said. But im the interests of 
scientific truth this cannot be right. Fer in science, if a con- 
tention concerning a broad principle long held, and strongly 
insisted upon by authority, and taught im schools, remains 
unproved for years, and is not defended by those who 
maintain it, it should certainly be subjected to full discussion. 
It has been asserted again and again that by chemistry, 
physics, and mechanics vital changes are to be explained, 
but no one has yet succeeded in explaining them. 
There is in every vital action what has been learnedly 
called the operation of a “ factor,” which factor unquestion- 
ably has nothing to do with physics and chemistry. There 
exists im all living a power of making definite arrangements, 
a governing, a guiding power—a power which compels 
component material particles (atoms ?) to take certain definite 
positions with respect to one another, but which operates 
only in living matter—a power which somehow exercises in 
