CHAP. XUI. CONCLUSION. 183 



does the electric force exist as such in the organ, 

 and is merely evolved under the influence of the 

 wiU, or is nerve force converted during this action 

 into electric force? Now -with regard to the first 

 question, I helieve that it is the electricity of the 

 muscular tissue that is evolved, for we can prove 

 that the muscle possesses a previous electric state. 

 But with regard to the fish, I am not aware that the 

 suhstance of that organ has been proved to possess 

 a similar electric condition. The muscular tissue 

 possessing an electric condition, would go far to 

 prove that nerve force must bear some intimate 

 relation and connection with the electric force to 

 cause its manifestation. In all these discussions, 

 however, it is important to bear in mind, that in the 

 exertion of force, whether muscular or nervous, there 

 must be a loss of power, and as they are both 

 dependent upon nutrition for their manifestation, so 

 they are dependent upon nutrition for their resto- 

 ration. Ndtbition (including under this head the 

 kindred actions secretion and absorption) would ap- 

 pear to be the ultimate and most important act in 

 organic life. 



Db. Carpenteb', in a valuable Paper On the Mutual 

 Relations of the Vital and Physical Forces, speaking of 

 the term ' germ force,' as employed by Me. Paget to 

 designate the power which each germ possesses ' to 

 develope itself into the perfection of an appropriate 

 specific form,' adds, " so far from regarding the 

 ^ Philosophical Transactions, 1850, p. 737. 



