1883.] Indian Music. 267 
with it nutrient molecules which possess nitrogen, but which need 
some slight change in condition to give them vital activity. This 
change is effected by the further decomposition of the denitrogen- 
ized product of the previous oxidation. Acted on at once by the 
affinities of oxygen and of nutriment, it breaks up into two new 
molecules, one of which combines with oxygen, the other with 
the nutrient molecule. The energy set free by the oxidation suf- 
à fices for the purposes of the nutrition process, As a final result 
we have protoplasm on the one hand, and degradation products, 
of no further use to the body, on the other. Like urea—the ni- 
trogen waste—this carbon waste is now removed from the body, 
and the tissues are once more free and in condition for a repeti- 
| tion of the active vital process. 
. Such, or something not greatly unlike this, seems to be the or- 
ganic Process. Life appears to result from the play of the affini- 
| ties of oxygen for nitrogen and carbon. Combination of oxygen 
with nitrogen compounds sets the wheels of life in motion, yield- 
; ing energy which is free to produce organic motion. Combina- 
tion with carbon compounds winds up again the clock of life, and 
prepares for a new period of activity. But the affinity of oxygen 
| for the organic molecules is resisted, and cannot take place effec- 
tively except when assisted. Vibratory impulse, resulting from 
external irritation, aids its affinity for the nitrogen molecule, and 
induces the active state. Double chemical action aids its affinity 
for the carbon molecule, which it can attack only by aiding in the 
_Teformation of protoplasm. Possibly it may have slight powers 
_ © attack when unassisted, but its vigorous action seems to require 
these aids. And in this fact we have a possible solution of the 
mystery of life, for it is to some such play of affinities that sensory 
and Motor activities, and the production of new protoplasm, are 
due, and in this sense organic life is a result of oxygen affinities. 
“ry 
INDIAN MUSIC. 
BY EDWIN A. BARBER. | 
TH Indian tribes of America possess to-day but a limited 
* eee of the art of music, though the Chippewas are 
pis ‘to have employed, to a limited extent, some years ago, a 
_ “od of notation which was, at least, familiar to the medicine 
men of the tribe, A manuscript, which the traveler Catlin pro- 
