52 EVOLUTION AND THE 
is drawn from the essential similarity existing between 
living matter and other forms of matter, and from the 
fact that Crystals, which originate independently in 
fluids, make their appearance in suitable media just 
as these lowest living Organisms are observed to do. 
Although this analogy has not been dwelt upon by 
those who do not share my views on this question, 
it is one which many of them would be bound to 
accept, since the relationship between crystals and ° 
organisms is generally admitted by Evolutionists. 
This relationship is distinctly affirmed by Mr. Her- 
bert Spencer and also just as completely by Professor 
Tyndall—as I have already mentioned. Professor 
Huxley, moreover, speaks most distinctly on this ~ 
subject. He says :*—“It is not probable that there 
is any real difference in the nature of the molecular 
forces which compel the carbonate of lime to assume 
and retain the crystalline form, and those which cause 
the albuminoid matter to move and grow, select and 
form, and maintain its particles in a state of incessant 
motion. The property of crystallizing is to crystalliz-. 
able matter what the vital property is to albuminoid 
matter (protoplasm). The crystalline form corre- 
sponds to the organic form, and its internal structure 
to tissue structure. Crystalline force being a property 
of matter, vital force is but a property of matter.” 
* Essay on ‘‘ The Physical Basis of Life,” Fortnightly Review, 1869. 
* 
