I'LAN AND PURPOSE IN NATURE. 219 



oj the living matter. When I speak of growth I mean a process 

 very different from that to which Mr. Herbert Spencer applies 

 this term "growth." Growth certainly involves a great deal 

 more than mere accretion or aggregation — the gradual collecting 

 together of minute particles of matter. This aggregation of 

 material particles does not constitute growth in the case of living 

 matter. In aggregation and crystallization the addition of new 

 particles is always on the outside of the original mass. The 

 particles are applied layer over layer on what was the external 

 surface. But in all living growth, from the lowest to the highest 

 particle of Bioplasm, the new matter passes from the outside 

 through the external latjers, and reaches the central part of the living 

 particle; and this being far more central than we can see — more 

 central than anyone has yet been able to reach, and perhaps no 

 one ever will see the actual change that takes place in the central 

 part of every particle of living matter or Bioplasm which yields 

 by death, among other matters, a little albuminoid matter, traces 

 of fats and salts with a very large proportion of water. But there 

 is indeed much more to be considered, and I think Dr. Walter 

 Kidd will agree with me in this. It is only during the last few 

 years that chemists and physicists have recognised the influence of 

 vital action — vitality in the necessary changes in all living matter. 

 At the last meeting but one I think of the British Association, one 

 of the most distinguished chemists suggested that we wanted 

 " a little more vitality." Well, we want not only a little more 

 but very much more than has hitherto been allowed. This 

 vitality has been ignored by many who have during many years 

 expressed decided views upon questions bearing upon the nature 

 of life. 



Allow me to say a few words with regard to the importance of 

 members of the medical profession taking part in the discussion 

 of these great questions ; for I venture to think that many of us 

 by our training are well qualified to do so. We have, all of us, 

 had a scientific education, and we have also had practical experience 

 in reference to the vital changes taking place during life at different 

 periods, and under different circumstances. We endeavour to do 

 our utmost to help to keep people alive and well, and indeed the 

 members of both professions — clerical and medical — the followers 

 and teachers of religion — and the followers and teachers of 

 medicine, are surely the very persons to engage in the con- 

 sideration of great questions which intimately concern all men. 

 Few are so circumstanced as to be able to enter upon all the 



