284 PROFESSOR LIONEL S. BEALE, E.R.C.P.^ F.R.S., ON THE 



towards the ground ? And are not living organisms out of 

 number able to overcome this law in flight, and by the ordinary 

 movements of their limbs in raising parts or the whole of their 

 bodies, from tlie ground by the action of their soft moist nerves 

 and muscles, and the jwiver of the bioplasm of these tissues ? 

 Indeed is it not a fact that all living organisms overcome gravi- 

 tation ? And in short, is there a living particle in our life- 

 world which in all its parts ohtys this law ? Are we not there- 

 fore compelled to recognize in these facts the influence of a 

 power distinct from all the forces, properties and qualities of 

 every kind of matter that does not live — a power which 

 characterizes only matter which is alive, but which ceases 

 when life ceases? Vital s^nd physical are opposed. If physical 

 actions and physical laws and properties were not overcome by 

 Life-poiuer, Vitcdity, there would be no life. 



Eeligio Vit.^:, Eeligio Scienti^,, Eeligio Medici. 

 Eegnum NiTM, Eegnum Dei. 



Discussion. 



The Chairman. — Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure we must be 

 deeply grateful to the Professor for giving us such, if I may use 

 the word, an eloquent paper in every sense of the word, eloquent 

 not only in the words in which it is expressed, but the depths of 

 thought and the forcible truths that it enunciates. 



Before going any farther the Secretary will read some communi- 

 cations which have been received. Perhaps I might first put a 

 formal vote of thanks. 



[Put and carried unanimously.] 



The Chairman. — There are one or two questions I should like 

 to ask the Professor, but I should like first to express my own 

 personal gratitude for many thoughts which it seems to me are 

 hardly to be taken in all at once, but to be well thought over and 

 to form the ground of suggestion of further thoughts. As one reads 

 the paper through, every now and then in what appeared to be a 

 casual sentence, there seemed to be wrapped up a most striking root 

 thought, which I am sure we shall be very wise if we try to 



