152 THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 



differ widely, they would in all cases, directly or 

 indirectly, transmit high frequency vibration to the 

 ultimate unit itself. 



To return, then, to the relation between the 

 nucleus and the cell : it must be borne in mind 

 that there are some minute forms of life which seem 

 to have no nuclei, as, for example, the Monera of 

 Haeckel, which seem to be single bits of protoplasm. 

 The answer has been given, however, that they 

 probably consist entirely of nucleus and there is no 

 cytoplasm visible. This seems to be most probable. 

 However, there is reason to believe that the inner 

 nuclei may not always be visible by ordinary means. 

 That there are such nuclei it seems scarcely necessary 

 to question. 



It is upon this nucleus and these nuclei that we 

 suppose the vitality of the cell depends. The flow 

 of energy is doubtless continuous and independent in 

 its ultimate course from the mechanism with which 

 it may be associated. In the relation between this 

 vital unit and the organism to which it may 

 be attached, rests the whole question of living 

 organism. As we have seen, such eff'ects can be 

 imitated by the action of certain minerals on organic 

 media. They appear in each case to possess the 

 striking qualities which are associated with vitality, 

 and to support the hypothesis which has been put 

 forward that such a nucleus as we have supposed 

 can give rise to aggregations wherein a continuous 

 flow of energy as well as of matter is maintained. 



