350 The Vital Element: Its Three Modes 
adjective potential had indicated a vital non-activity at 
that time, become entirely compatible in consequence of 
the hypothesis which we have just set forth. For accord- 
ing to this hypothesis, the element would be potential in 
so far as each of the two coupled accumulators would be 
able to furnish at need its proper extra-nuclear functional 
nervous discharge, and it would at the same time be con- 
ceived as in a vital process by reason of the intra-nuclear 
oscillating discharge, which continues incessantly between 
the two accumulators. Vital energy could thus present 
itself in three distinct modes: (1) In the potential, 
properly so called, which expresses itself in the phenom- 
ena of actual suspension of life or lethargy in its widest 
sense; (2) In the oscillatory potential or the intra- 
nuclear oscillating discharge, which constitutes the 
essence of the period of so called “functional repose,” 
“organic reconstitution” of materials afterwards to be 
consumed, “assimilative synthesis,’ or “vital creation;” 
(3) Finally in the actual proper, or the extra-nuclear 
non-oscillating discharge, which constitutes the period of 
“excitation,” “functional activity,” “wear and_ tear,” 
“consumption of material stored up in the rest period,” 
“disassimilation,” or ‘vital destruction.” 
As conclusion of our exposition let us note very 
briefly that also for three others of the most fundamental 
phenomena associated with vital activity this hypothesis 
_upon the nature of life presents at least the beginning of 
an explanation. These are: rhythmicity, a characteristic 
property of all life phenomena; the phenomena of fecun- 
dation and rejuvenesence in general; and nuclear division 
with its characteristic and remarkable details. 
A whole series of facts forces us to the opinion, that 
