THE 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
MONG the many new “ ologies ” to which the rapid 
progress of Science in the present age has given 
birth, none perhaps are at once so interesting and so 
encompassed with difficulties as Biology and Psychology; 
and for this obvious reason, that these subjects lie upon the 
very boundary of the “vast unknown,” and trench to no 
small extent upon the domain of Philosophy, secular or 
sacred, — indeed upon that of both, — demanding a reverent 
caution, and entire freedom from dogmatism in the handling 
of them. 
While offering a few suggestions upon the former of these 
two subjects, I shall make no attempt to criticise the views 
of others, — a task wholly impossible within the limits of a 
short article like the present, — but content myself with 
stating the conclusions at which I have myself arrived. 
The problem of Life may well be termed, par excellence , 
the “Crux” of Science. As the Duke of Argyll observes, 
in a recent article on ‘ The Unity of Nature,’ — in the “ Con- 
temporary,” — “ Science has cast no light on the ultimate 
nature of life.” Familiar as we are with the fadt and the 
phenomena of life, its actual nature seems for ever to elude 
our grasp. Science can experiment ad libitum upon non- 
living matter, and to a certain limited extent upon the living, 
and is compelled to confess that a vast difference exists be- 
tween them. It can apply its microscope, and discern the 
wonderful and minute motions peculiar to life, at least in 
its active state, and can estimate the effects which chemical 
vol hi. (third series). b 
JANUARY, 1881. 
I. LIFE AND ITS BASIS. 
By J. H. Barker, M.A. 
Part I. — Vegetable Life. 
