482 Organic Physics. IJune, 



equator of the mass. If now this unit be divided equatorially 



ical energy is decreased, because each has a weakened pole. A 



division of the first of these new units will give us A b and 



a b. Here the first is thrown still more out of polar balance, 



while the second regains equality, but with diminished energy. 

 And so on with continued division. We would obtain as the 

 extreme terms of the process two cells, in one of which the full 

 acid was accompanied by a greatly reduced basic vigor, and in 

 the other a like advantage would be gained by the basic pole. 

 Between these would be a succession of cells, less out of chemi- 

 cal balance, with one or more intermediate cells in which the bal- 

 ance of energy would be preserved. But in all these cells the 

 vigor of one or both of the poles would be greatly reduced, so 

 that the chemical activity must decline in vigor with every new 

 act of division. Such a result is but an organic example of the 

 principle we have already considered in inorganic nature, in the 

 gradual separation of the constituents of sodium sulphate, 

 Na 2 S0 4 . The molecules of the original cell would be repre- 

 sented by the mass of new cells into which it finally breaks up, 

 some of these cells being specially acid, basic or neutral, as were 

 the molecules of the normal cell. 



In such a process we see the original strongly declared hetero- 

 geneity of the normal unit gradually diminishing, and chemical 

 homogeneity approaching, while life vigor decreases in accordance. 

 The process of division, which is necessary to keep up the activ- 

 ity of the cell, inevitably tends to diminish this activity from a 

 secondary cause, that of loss of chemical heterogeneity. How 

 shall this essential condition be restored, and the full activity of 

 life action be reproduced ? Evidently by a reversal of the process 

 above considered. If cell division reduces the life energy, cell 

 combination may restore it. If, for instance, the two extreme 

 terms of such a continued division be reunited, all the lost chem- 

 ical heterogeneity would be regained, and the normal condition 

 reproduced. Let the two extreme units, A b and 



> form a new unit; we would have as result A- 



-B, the 



intermediate polarities falling into place between these polar ex- 

 tremes. Thus by a single process of combination a cell woul 

 be gained possessing all the chemical heterogeneity, the polar 

 balance and the vital activity of the original. 



