1880. | Protoplasmie Dynamics. B 
IV.—These free combining powers, acting together, constitute 
plasma attraction or affinity, and are the force and source of 
organic power. Their mode of utilization we shall see further on. 
Though strange indeed that attraction as the great fountain of 
power in organisms has been overlooked, it has probably remained 
so from lack of seeing the application of this most abundant of 
all forces to the driving of the vital machine, even as we were late 
in learning the use of the expanding power of steam. Without 
looking among the attractions for the propelling power, the 
impression has prevailed that if anything is necessary, more than 
the assumption of an independent vital force, it must be looked 
for in forces like heat and electricity, which are freed by chemical 
combination, and evidently are of great importance, especially in 
the higher organisms as communicative and excitive of agitations 
inducing the liberation of attractions which collectively constitute 
the immediate organizing and working power. Concerning this 
matter Herbert Spencer (Princ. Biol., Vol. 1, pp. 55) says, “ We 
have as yet no clue to the mode in which molecular movement is 
transformed into the movement of masses.” 
Also in this connection three papers may be cited as fairly 
showing the chief facts and theories bearing on this question and 
respectively pertaining to the three kinds of active tissues of the 
higher organisms: 
I, Engelmann. Die Flimmerbewegung. Jenaische Zeitschrift, 
2. Charles. The mode of Propagation of Nervous on 
Journal of Anatomy for October, 1879. 
3- Armsby. The source of Muscular Power. Popular Science 
Monthly for October, 1879. 
The first of these is an exceedingly important volume of inves- 
tigations, showing. the effeċts of chemical re-agents, and the 
physical and mechanical forces in accelerating or retarding, intro- 
ducing or stopping the action of dead and- living. cilia, also 
affirming the constancy and fundamental importance- of. the 
inbibitional swelling, and the conclusions of others, that like oe 
veactions are obtained from all the contractile tissues. 
The second defines the two propagation-processes seed a 
to nerve impulses; the vibratory hypothesis and the chemical a 
hypothesis, giving the facts on which the latter is founde Ww wa. 
fe the conclusion that it a cane — the forn 
