328 MR. J. C. DYER ON THE 



any theory ;, however ingenious^ of slow combustion^ or of 

 machine power. 



Although the term vital force may be somewhat vague^ 

 it seems to point out the special energies that originate 

 organic forms^ and multiply and expand them by a series 

 of spontaneous actions^ from the seeds and ova^ to build up 

 the living structures of plants and animals ; and upon the 

 attainment of their maturity^ the subsidence of those ener- 

 gies commences ; nor can any intrinsic aid or stimuli pre- 

 vent their extinction at the appointed time. 



If the term force be made to include those exerted by 

 the vital organs^ and if the conservation of such forces be 

 a practical reality^ then the living energies need never to 

 ^' fade away and expire/' except through the wilful neglect 

 of the conservative doctors. 



I will here add^ in the words of a profound thinker, that, 

 in organic life, " every train of development exhibits in its 

 course an adherence to plan, which can only have its 

 ground in an internal vital destination. It exhibits at the 

 same time an independence of all external influences, which 

 testifies to the internally given force of vitality^' ^. 



It must be observed that these comments on vital forces 

 relate solely to those functional energies that produce phy- 

 sical action, and which are quite apart from the '^ moral 

 and intellectual forces '^ exerted externally by sentient 

 beings upon each other — a subject of wider and far higher 

 nature than any of mere physical action. 



I venture to recommend a careful perusal of the learned 

 and eloquent essay (in ' Once a Week ') before quoted, in 

 order to a clear and full comprehension of what is called 

 " the great philosophical doctrine of the present era of 

 science. '^ 



All know that^ in the act of breathing, the carbon in the 

 blood is converted into its acid form, whereby the heat of 



* Ray Society's Bot. and Phys. Memoirs, 1863. 



