CHAPTER XII 



THE MECHANISM OP LIFE 



Two opposing principles in vital processes; the constructive 

 and the destructive — Mode in which metabolism is kept 

 up in the cell in consequence of the electrical and radio- 

 active properties of the nucleus — Artificial cells merely 

 models, .but yet give a clue to the nature of the mechanism 

 in natural ones — Biogen hereditary substance — Nature of 

 this substance. — Biogen the transition stage between free 

 electricity and condensed electricity or atomic matter — 

 Astronomical analogue — Constituents of protoplasm the 

 lightest elements — Bearing of this on the virigin of proto- 

 plasm — Two kinds of biogens. 



In the remotest times vitality was looked upon as 

 the result of opposite contending principles of 

 strength and of weakness, of growth and of decay, 

 of life and death. Like the two principles of good 

 and evil, they were supposed to be continually 

 contending with each other. The deity was supposed 

 to be continually struggling with the devil. In more 

 modern conceptions an analogy still exists, for 

 vitality, which has been described as a series of 

 fermentations in catalytic actions, is ultimately 

 found to be a metabolism, the building up and 

 breaking down of molecules. So that it is also 



