515 
of Edinburgh, Session 1868 - 69 . 
and which consist of aggregations of atomic circles or centres of 
force ; and in the form of free an-atomic or transmissible power 
which is not discoverable directly by the senses, but is known only 
by its effects on atomic bodies. The question whether the chemi- 
cal atom is a material atom, or is purely dynamical, does not affect 
the truth of the writer’s statements. 
6. The mind seems conscious of possessing power, and of being 
able to exercise it for the production of physical movements. It 
has evidence of this when it exerts itself in the production of those 
muscular efforts which are subject to the control of the will. The 
mind is thus the agent in the production of voluntary movement 
through the free transmissible power which it sends to the muscle, 
as will be explained in the subsequent paper on this subject. 
7. Free power effects the various important physical phenomena 
alluded to, e.g ., the production of motion — and the continuance of 
it as momentum, on which depends, not only the movements of 
the earth and planetary system, but the transmission of light and 
sound as above explained. 
Mr Wyld explained that by the words physical law he meant to 
express simply the invariable modes of action observed in physical 
phenomena. The existence of action, however, always infers the 
existence of an agent or actor. This is not the most suitable place 
to inquire regarding the origin or cause of power, but it will be 
admitted that we discover nothing in atomic bodies to account for 
its existence. These seem rather to be the subjects of power than 
the cause of it, for all their movements and changes seem regulated 
and caused by it. They are therefore quite insufficient to account 
for it, or to explain it. 
This inability to discover a visible cause for the laws of nature 
compels us to believe in an invisible cause, adequate to account for 
them. "When, therefore, we discover power acting in the produc- 
tion of order, beauty, and enjoyment — and when we recognise our- 
selves as moral and intelligent beings brought into close connection 
with this physical system, we are drawn all but irresistibly to the 
conclusion that physical power is the sustained action of a mighty 
Being, possessed of the self-consciousness and intelligence with 
which we find ourselves to be endowed. 
