mi.] 
Correspondence. 
75 5 
world, and the power “ behind ” organic function that presides 
over “ the animal economy.” The illustration drawn from the 
old phlogistic theory of combustion remains intadt. There was 
no analogic ground for supposing a “ levitating fadtor ” which 
“ could have united with a metal without being condensed into a 
solid.” Neither is there any such ground for the belief in an 
“ anima ” or “ vital principle.” Again, when a man is excited 
by alcohol he manifests a temporary exaltation of vital, and often 
of mental, power ; but nothing analogous to this happens in the 
case of a broken fiddle. All discussions based on theological 
dogmas are out of place in a scientific journal ; I therefore 
simply remark that if we assume the existence of an ubiquitous 
Deity — an assumption Hyloism is not concerned to dispute — we 
must believe that he adts in all cases diredtly, and not by living 
or lifeless mediation, — 
“ Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze, 
Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees,” — 
and that the material Universe is but the Epiphany of God. Is 
this a “ degrading” theory? — I am, &c., 
C. N. 
PROFESSOR HUXLEY ON ANIMISTIC 
HYPOTHESES. 
To the Editor of the Journal of Science. 
Sir, — Professor Huxley, in a Ledture delivered before the 
Medical Congress, asserts that “ The essence of modern, as 
contrasted with ancient physiological science, appears to lie in 
its antagonism to animistic hypotheses and animistic phrase- 
ology.” 
Prof. Huxley is never ambiguous in his utterances, and it is 
very difficult to avoid applying an animistic hypothesis to the 
fundtion he was fulfilling in this portion of his admirable address. 
I would, however, suggest that the opposition of Science is 
diredted against inadequate rather than against animistic hypo- 
theses. 
For example : the hypothesis that the process in germination 
is similar in its nature to that in crystallisation is grossly inade- 
quate and misleading, and, as such, is condemned by Science. 
It is not Prof. Huxley’s custom to complain of that which is 
inevitable ; and it is to be feared that in our modes of thought 
and expression we cannot help being animistic, any more than 
