CONTINUITY OF VITAL PROCESSES 27 



In the healthy organism there is a balance between 

 these two processes when maturity is attained. 

 Previous to maturity intus-seption is greater than 

 waste and the organism grows by the accumulation 

 within itself of new matter from its environment, the 

 matter which it assimilates being greater than that 

 which it can get rid of. When, however, there is a 

 balance between the two processes, the power of 

 reproduction sets in, and when the process of dis- 

 integration exceeds that of re-integration there is 

 degeneration, and death as a necessary consequence, 

 in the course of time ensues. 



The growth in crystals is due to the addition of 

 layers of new matter ; so that their growth is quite a 

 different thing from that of animals and plants. 



(3) There is the tendency to undergo a cyclic 

 process. This includes not merely growth, but also 

 decay. The evidence of internal energy is gradually 

 lost. There is thus a continuous change of substance, 

 together with a continual change of size and of form 

 of the individual, and finally decay and death, 

 whUst portions detached may also go through the 

 same cyclic process as the parent source from which 

 they originally sprung. So in an endless chain is 

 the peculiar phenomenon we call life carried on. 



(4) Such individuals possess a certain organisation 

 or structure. 



(5) They are largely dependent upon temperature 

 and moisture. 



(6) They are highly susceptible to external 

 influences. 



