1 882.] Organic Physics. 477 



ergies would be constantly replaced by energy derived from ex- 

 Such a continual reinvigoration takes place in organic che- 

 mism. The exercise of the affinities of the molecules of proto- 

 plasm must constantly tend to reduce their energy, and produce a 

 neutral inactivity. But oxygen comes in, bringing with it the 

 chemical energy of the exterior world. The new-formed, inactive 

 molecules are partly oxidized, and perhaps regain their original 

 condition. The chemical vigor of the circuit is restored, and its 

 activity may thus be ceaseless, since it is continually re-energized 

 by the forces of exterior nature. 



As a final deduction from the principles of inorganic chemistry, 

 may be mentioned the fact that the activity of a galvanic circuit 

 in which the affinities of both the positive and the negative con- 

 stituents of the molecules of the liquid are engaged, must depend 

 upon the vigor of the opposite polarities of the circuit. If either 

 the positive or the negative energy be neutralized the chemical 

 activity must be checked, while if one or both of these polar en- 

 ergies be decreased the activity of the circuit must be similarly 

 reduced. 



These principles of inorganic chemism might have been con- 

 sidered in more detail, since there is reason to believe that they 

 are the agencies concerned in the higher organic chemistry. For 

 the sake of brevity they have been given in a very condensed 

 form with little attempt at illustration. It remains to apply thsm 

 to the phenomena of what is called life action, or the assimilation 

 and growth of protoplasm. 



In considering this question we have to deal with the units of 

 organic beings. Not the cell, but the nucleus of the cell, which 

 undoubtedly the active agent in protoplasmic growth. The 

 s is itself an organized body, and appears to contain other 

 materials than the proteid molecules to whose chemical activity 

 tr >e phenomena of organic life are due. It is also evidently a 

 Polar organization, its polarity being markedly displayed at the 

 time of its division. The two nuclei into which the original one 



: 



the 



represents each a polar half of the origi 



nal nucleus 



Probable balanced polarity of the primary cell nucleus be- 

 comes an unbalanced polaritv in the new cells resulting from its 

 division. We hope to show that this is a fact of essential im- 

 portance. 



