UNSEEN LIFE OF OUR WORLD AND OF LIVING GROWTH. l^^I 



think. In many organs these living particles act together in 

 groups of many thousands, each individual particle being generally 

 less than tlie t5-o^(^ o i^^^^^ diameter, and there is nO' reason 



to sup])()se that ancestral life particles differed in character, 

 or principles of vital action, from those of to-day. 



I have tried my utmost over and over again, tO' consider 

 living nature from the point of view of modern Agnostics, 

 ]\Ionists, Free-thinkers, and according to the doctrines of some 

 who belong to parties and subdivisions, sections and subsections, 

 old aiul new, high and low, broad and narrow ; but I have failed. 

 I have never been al^le to get the simple question of life and 

 death, or the action of any one particle of living matter 

 adequately discussed, though it is familar to every Biologist ; 

 because discussion on the fundamental questions bearing on the 

 nature of life and the living world, has long Ijeen opposed. 



How tlien is it possible for me not to believe in life Foioer as 

 distinguished from the properties of matter — life power which 

 ceases, or which may increase and multiply, and by wdiich new 

 matter may be animated or caused to live — and matter left after 

 the death of that which was alive ? — Life Power, and lifeless 

 Matter. 



If this be true, must w^e not admit two very distinct states of 

 matter, living and uon-liviiuf — two states of nature^ — liciiig and 

 non-Uvlnfj — two realms, or kingdoms — one living, of Ponrr, — the 

 other not living, of Matter — one temporary, ah\^}^ changing — 

 the other permanent and indestructible — one fjover/icd In/ the 

 liviwj God, the other hii non-living laio ? Life 'power intinite, 

 active, living and dying — Matter passive, blind, powerless — 

 governed by eternal unchanging law ? 



In this paper I have endeavoured to make clear what I 

 believe to be the truth as regartls the absolute distinction 

 between all living and non-living ; and have tried to prove the 

 distinction of all life from non-life. 



As regards man, I could but express my very strong conviction 

 that man is absolutely separate from all the lower animals ; but 

 1)elieve me, there are very strong facts and arguments against 

 the doctriiies now generally entertained, concerning man's 

 nature and origin, and his relation to the Infinite. I hope 

 therefore ^ve may have opportunity of discussing at greater 

 length the important question of Design, human and diviue, and 

 man's true position in living nature, from the science side, based 

 on facts and observations ascertained in the course of studying 

 the structure growth and action of the living matter of his body, 

 and the structure, mode of formation, and action of the highest 



