48 J. W. SLATER, ESQ., F.C.S., F.E.S., ON 



and enablino- it to overctome for a certain time all the opposin,^ 

 forces which, in the very order of tilings, must at last neutralise 

 it. 



In the case of the explosive, coiled spring, and elastic substance 

 the force is constant, as opposed to the incremental vital force of 

 the seed; but in both examples the ultimate result is the same, 

 neutralisation of primary force by opposing force, or forces, 

 producing stasis in the inorganic, and stasis or death so called in 

 the organic world. 



In the higher forms of development of the organic world, in 

 respect of Avhich the human body may be taken as the most perfect 

 example, force is active ab initio : evidencing its activity by the 

 movements of the spermatozoa producing activity involving change 

 in the Graafian vesicle; and later on evolving the spinal cord and 

 brain, the formation of the heart, and establishment of its con- 

 tinued action in connection with the circulation of the blood ; and 

 later still, evidencing its existence by the various functions of the 

 body, many of which are of a purely mechanical nature, e.g., 

 mastication, deglutition, defaecation, micturition, respiration, and 

 muscular movements of the tongue, eyes, limbs, neck, and trunk. 



These forces find their analogues, and are identical with, force 

 observed in connection w^ith various machines, of which the 

 locomotive affords an example. 



In man this life force, conferred originally upon him by the 

 Creator, has been given in greater or less quantity to each of his 

 children ; thus we have from birth weak infants and strong infants. 

 So again vital force is incremental, and can therefore never be 

 constant. 



As in the case of infants, so also in respect of engines ; we have 

 toy engines capable of exhibiting a small degree of force, and 

 greater engines of higher pov^er. 



In respect of this incremental condition of life force, it might be 

 said that analogy again fails to represent the identity of force in 

 the human body and locomotive. Is this so ? Give no food to the 

 infant, the life force fails ; opposing forces neutralise it, and stasis 

 (death) follows. Cease to supply the locomotive with tire and water, 

 and yoQ open the valves in vain, stasis fojlows from neutralisation 

 of opposing forces. God gives primary force to the child, man 

 sup])lies it to the locomotive. 



So that if life force fails for want of pabulum (food force), 



