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the universe. We can account for the existence and ultimate 
constitution of these forces, no better, and no worse, in the 
case of the living organism, than we can in the case of ordinary 
non-living matter. The sole question is — Do these forces act 
in the living organism otherwise than they do in dead matter ; 
and, if so, what is it that causes this different action, and 
determines their direction ? 
That the physical and chemical forces act differently in the 
living body to what they do in dead matter seems to be 
sufficiently proved by the fact, that whilst the matter of life 
(“ protoplasm ”) is apparently identical in composition in all 
living beings, the vital phenomena exhibited are of the most 
varying character. No one can produce any adequate dis- 
tinction between the protoplasm of a man and that of a sponge; 
but no one will deny that the vital phenomena exhibited by 
these organisms are of an extraordinarily different nature. 
With identity of force, and of the vehicle through which 
that force acts, we have therefore a marvellous diversity of 
results, and this diversity can only be due to differences in 
the cause which determines the molecular movements of 
protoplasm. 
The advocates of the physical theory of life have endeavoured 
to evade this difficulty by assuming the existence of an in- 
herent “ directive force” either in the protoplasm itself, and 
constituting one of its natural properties, or in the “ sun- 
force ” which that protoplasm receives, directly or indirectly. 
We hear a great deal about “ molecular organisation,” 
“ atomic machinery,” being “ built up by sun-force,” “ for- 
mative power of matter,” and the like ; and these, as Fluellen 
has it, are indeed “ prave ffirds;” but they are nothing more 
than words, and a little observation and reflection will show 
us the fallacy of all this. G-iven a steam-engine and coals, 
you still require something to direct its action, and you cannot 
find that something in the dead machine or in the fuel. You 
get a certain amount of “ power ” or force,” but that is all ; 
and you may use that power in an almost infinite variety 
of ways by directing it in different directions. It is only a 
man, however, who can determine the course which the power 
of the steam-engine shall take. To use a somewhat similar 
illustration of Dr. Carpenter's, you may go to any large 
manufacturing town, and you may hire or purchase a room 
“with power,” as the phrase goes. What is it that you buy 
in such a case ? Surely you do not purchase the power to do 
any particular thing, such as to weave cloth or to print books? 
On the contrary, you simply buy so much bare force, and it 
is for you to direct that force by suitable machinery into any 
