CHAPTER IX 



THE NUCLEUS AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY 



Nucleus as a source of energy — Possible mode of reconciliation 

 between opposite schools of Haeckel and Lodge — Bio- 

 elements — Altmann's bioplasts — Dr. Charlton Bastian 

 and the transmutation of species — Life-activity and radio- 

 activity — Eichter and Preyer's cosmoza — Bathybius and 

 precipitates — The problem of the origin of life equivalent 

 to or parallel with that of the origin of matter. 



We have now discoursed upon the internal energy of 

 which the nucleus is the seat, and have seen that 

 a striking analogy exists between the behaviour of 

 nuclei in natural and artificial cells. This view leads 

 to a possible mode of reconciliation between the two 

 apparently antagonistic doctrines held by Haeckel 

 and by Lodge. According to one the vital energy 

 is the result of purely molecular atomic interactions ; 

 whilst according to the other there is some other 

 transcendental ultra-physical source. If we regard the 

 nucleus in the manner so described, as constituting 

 the seat of infra-atomic motion, we can conceive how 

 it is that sources of energy which at first sight may 

 appear not to come under the law of the conservation 

 of energy, may in reality be reconciled with that law 



