26 THE EVOLUTION OF CONTINUITY 



the attraction in mass being the sum total of the earth's 

 component molecular attractions. 



On the whole, the world may be regarded as a huge 

 system of bound force, or as a mass of energy which is for 

 the most part bound up " potentially," though frequently 

 becoming " kinetic " or active. When, however, energy 

 becomes kinetic it strives with all its might to return to 

 the potential state, for Nature abhors disequilibrium ; her 

 ideal, her goal, is equilibrium. It is with the upsetting of 

 equilibrium in any system that energy is set free or becomes 

 kinetic, and work is done while the lost equilibrium is being 

 regained, the whole process showing itself as a series of 

 reactions. All forms of kinetic energy are manifestations 

 of the forces of Attraction and Repulsion in action, but it 

 is important to recognise that kinetic energy can only be 

 produced and disequilibrium manifested through Repulsion 

 coming into play, for where Attraction alone obtains all 

 is rest and equilibrium, all energy is potential, all is bound 

 fast in the absence of the opposing force. This being so, 

 and we ourselves observing that all kinetic inevitably trans- 

 forms itself as quickly as possible into potential energy, we 

 conclude that the dominant force in Nature is that of 

 Attraction ; and it may be remarked that the truth of this 

 will be borne out by the evolution of living Continuity. 

 Equilibrium is, in truth, Nature's ideal, and its attainment 

 by any system shows that in that system the fundamental 

 force is acting solely as force of Attraction ; but whenever 

 disequilibrium is produced, or whenever any of the potential 

 energy becomes kinetic, then we are dealing with the 

 manifestation of Repulsion. Further, such Repulsion is 

 always induced ; for Attraction induces Repulsion, and 

 vice versa. The force which at one time binds in peace and 

 rest, at others separates and repels, only, however, to bind 

 once more. In the living world, where there is constant 

 liberation of energy and resultant disequilibrium, the two 

 opposing manifestations of the One Force are in constant 

 strife, and their alternation clearly displayed, with Attrac- 

 tion dominant. 



Wherever energy is liberated there is resultant move- 

 ment ; the movement of " ultimate particles," atoms, 

 molecules, or their multiples in mass ; there is a setting free, 



