THE WONDERS OF LIFE 



angles at the surface. On the strength of this, modem 

 crystallography distinguishes six different systems of 

 crystals. But, in different conditions, the same sub- 

 stance may crystallize in two or even three different 

 systems (dimorphism and trimorphism of the crystal); 

 thus, for instance, carbonate of lime crystallizes as calc- 

 spar in the hexagonal, and as arragonite in the rhombic 

 system. If Reinke would be consistent, he ought to 

 postulate a "dominant" for every crystal, to control the 

 order and direction of the particles in its formation. He 

 makes the curious statement (in 1899) that direction "is 

 not a measurable magnitude" like energy, and so is not 

 subject, like it, to the law of substance. We can 

 mathematically determine the direction of the con- 

 structive force in the crystal just as well as in the cell. 

 If we comprise under the head of cosmokinesis the 

 whole of the movements of the heavenly bodies in space, 

 we cannot deny that they have a definite direction in 

 detail, although our knowledge of this is still very 

 incomplete. We can calculate the distances and speeds 

 and movements of the planets round the sun with 

 mathematical accuracy; and we gather from our astro- 

 nomical observations and calculations that a similar 

 regularity prevails in the movements of the other count- 

 less bodies in infinite space. But we do not know either 

 the first impulse to these complex movements or their 

 final goal. We can only conclude from the great dis- 

 coveries of modern physics, supported by spectrum 

 analysis and celestial photography, that the universal 

 law of substance on the one side and the law of evolution 

 on the other control the gigantic movements of the 

 heavenly bodies just as they do the living swarm of tiny 

 organisms that have inhabited our little planet for 

 millions of years. Reinke ought, consistently, to admire 

 the cosmic intelligence of the Supreme Being in these 

 movements of the cosmic masses and its emanations, 



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