THE NATURE OF LIFE. 339 



problem of life, to the extent that the i3roblcm of tele- 

 graphy has been advanced in that time. Vitality has moved 

 slowly compared with physics and chemistry. 



The natm-e of life has been under discussion by the 

 wisest and best men for, perhaps, 2,000 years, and still we do 

 not know exactly the general views we oug-ht to hold, 

 concerning the nature of those wonderful changes which go 

 on in every living organism in every part of tlie living world. 

 However, it must be borne in mind that during the last fifty 

 years new investigations have been made and new instru- 

 ments have been obtained, so that we are able now to peer 

 more deeply into the inmost recesses of living things than 

 was possible on the part of our predecessors. We now look 

 from an entirely different point of view ; and, however much 

 we may differ in opinion and doctrine from one another 

 (and we do difter indeed on the very first principles) we can 

 proceed further and deeper than was at that time possible. 

 We really see a great many things, which it was quite 

 impossible to see only a few years ago. The improved 

 magnifying powers of the microscope and new means of 

 investigation, enable us to determine the actual particles 

 which lloe and move and upon which "life" depends 

 ■ — particles that act vitally — particles which alone can die. 

 Living particles are the only particles in the world that can 

 ■die. This is not the first time that I have appealed to the 

 members and associates of the Victoria Institute for con- 

 sideration of the nature of life, and. as many aro probably 

 aware, I am on the side of vitality — vitality absolutely 

 ■distinct and apart from all other powers, properties and 

 forces in natiu-e. I consider that vital power should be 

 placed in a category by itself, quite distinct from that in 

 which other forces or properties are included. Of course this 

 notion is opposed, but unfortunately the various reasons I have 

 advanced in favour of my conclusion have not been criticised 

 as I should desire. Some will be now able to criticise my 

 views, and if it would in any way further real knowledge, 

 I should be quite hanpy to meet members of the Institute at 

 any convenient time ; and instead of expounding my views, 

 I would ask to have my notions freely criticised, and be 

 allowed to answer them if 1 could, and if I could not reply 

 and explain more clearly, I would confess that I could not. 

 (Applause.) In this way I think we should soon come to 

 some valuable conclusions. At any rate that seems to me 

 what anyone who is really interested in the matter, however 



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