310 PKOFESSOR DUNS, D.D., F.R.S.E., ETC., ON 



known as life acts. This brings toi;-"tlior the simplest amoe- 

 looiJ — a mere strnetnreless. i;-elatinuns, l)nt vitalized speck — 

 and the highest form of animal life, man. The so-called life 

 in both, works in both, using Avhat seems to be identical 

 substance for the continuance of species, and the diftereutia- 

 tion of individuals under species. (2) Every species holds 

 what distinguishes it from every other species. To affirm 

 that the highest animal holds something in Avhicli the lowest 

 can have no part is self-evident, but it is not equally so to 

 say that the lowest has what it cannot share with the higliest. 

 The element which, in the humblest Foramenifer, determines 

 pattern, separates it not only from forms high in the zoological 

 scale, but also from the comparatively low forms which are 

 next to it in the scale. (3) One side of specific rank includes 

 what an animal holds of matter disposed in it as in ju) other, 

 a second what it holds of life under the same limitation, and 

 a third what of psychical element thus regarded also. If the 

 biologist confine himself to facts and to the tliought under- 

 lying them, of which they are the expression, he will likely 

 see the significance of these positions. In the noble words 

 of a great systemist — •' Classification is the rendering of 

 creative thoughts into human language." 



4. Vitalism. When Tyndall energetically expressed his 

 indignation against the use of terms Avhicli seemed to cast 

 doubts into the very heart of his most favourite theories, 

 he might, perhaps, have found rest in the thoughts of Faust : — 



* * "J set'k assistance. 



And thns the bitter task forego 



Of saying the things 1 do not know, — 



That I may detect the inmost force 



Whicli binds the world, and guides its course ; 



Its germs, productive powers, explore. 



And rummage in empty words no more." 



As to Vitalism, it is beyond doubt that there has been, 

 and there continues to be, much •" runnnagjng in empty 

 words." This has chiefly been with the view of hilling 

 proofs of mind in nature. The cries have been — "let us 

 cast the term vital force from our vocabulary; let us reduce, 

 if we can, the visible phenomena of life to mechanical attrac- 

 tions and repulsions " ; are not affinity, unity, exteiision, 

 duration, and consciousness properties of molecules; are 

 not the atoms waitiiig for the accidental change which, in 

 one or another of them, gives life and its constant accompani- 



