Picture - Cosmic Polymath

ATOMS AND MOLECULES IN DEAD AND LIVING MATTER loi
prefigure limbs. In the siren, two very tiny rudimentary anterior limbs, with imperfect digits, appear. In the
Amphiuma, these are increased to four (two anterior and two posterior). In the MenobrancJius, the same arrangement
obtains ; the limbs, though still very rudimentary, being a little larger. The limbs increase in size, and
become more differentiated in the triton and crocodile, and are perfected in quadrupeds and bipeds.
The tendency of the body to proliferate into extremities, digits, rays, &c., proves clearly enough that the
dendritic, or branching type, is common both in the organic and inorganic kingdoms. In fact, the branching
formations which occur in such great numbers in plants and animals are the analogues of the dendrites seen in
minerals and metals ; in the arborescent frost pictures ; in the branching lightning, &c. The spiral formations
so common in plants and animals have also their representatives in the physical universe. These, as already indicated,
appear as physical vortices, in spiral sand-storms, spiral water-spouts, and spirally-arranged nebulae. The
physical spiral arrangements may not inaptly be regarded as the forerunners or heralds of the twisted stems and
the revolving movements of cUmbing plants ; and
of the twisted bones and extremities of quadnipeds and bipeds,
with their spiral joints and complement of spiral muscles and spiral movements.
No doubt many will fail to perceive any possible connection between spiral sand-storms, spiral water-spouts,
spiral nebulae, &c., and the spiral stems and revolving movements of plants, and the twisted Umbs and spiral
movements of animals, as seen in walking, swimming, and flying ; and if so, no one will be disposed to cavil or
impute blame ; still the resemblances are so striking, when carefully looked into, that no scientific inquirer can
afford to pass them over. They are especially striking, when it is felt that they are the results of the spiral dis-
tribution and spiral movements of the atoms and molecules common ahke to the inorganic and organic kingdoms.
They, in fact, point to the existence of a great law of growth, development, and movement which reigns supreme
in both kingdoms, whereby atoms and molecules coalesce to form crystals and dendrites in the physical universe,
and plants and animals in the mysterious universe of fife. The law indicated, there is reason to believe, governs
not only the major operations which produce movement and form in crystals, dendrites, plants, and animals, but
also the minor operations which determine the arrangements and movements of the atoms which form molecules,
of the molecules which form cells, and of the cells which form tissues.
§ 19. Atoms and Molecules the same in Dead and Living Matter.
There are good grounds for beheving that the distribution and movements of atoms and molecules in the
organic and inorganic kingdoms are not essentially different, what difference there is being traceable to the presence
of Hfe in the organic kingdom ; fife controlling, within limits, the elements of the inorganic kingdom, but working
virtually on the same lines as obtain in that kingdom.
The ultimate distribution and movements of matter in the organic and inorganic kingdoms, when one comes
to think of it, should not materially differ. The one is part of the other. The organic comes from and returns to
the inorganic ; the elements in both are the same. The plant and animal borrow all the materials forming their
bodies, and much of the force which energises them, from the inorganic kingdom. There is therefore no room for
antagonism between the organic and inorganic kingdoms, in so far as the dendritic and spiral formations and
movements which prevail in both are concerned.
The oneness, the practical identity, structurally and functionally, which obtains in the organic and inorganic
kingdoms, affords perhaps the strongest argument for design yet put forward. It shows that the great First Cause
is the Author of the organic and inorganic kingdoms aUke ; that He works contiaually, and on the same lines in
both ; that the two kingdoms are complemental, in fact, working parts of each other ; that the organic kingdom,
while an elaboration and differentiation of the inorganic kingdom, is in no sense an inimical elaboration.
This accoimts for the reciprocation which is known to exist as between plants and animals, and as between both
and the physical imiverse ; for the reciprocation which is known to take place as regards the intake and output
of extraneous matters (soUd, fluid, and gaseous) during the Uves of plants and animals ; for the reciprocation of
day and night, and the seasons, in their bearing on the growth, development, and rhythmic movements of plants
and animals ; for the continued prevalence of law and order in the physical universe, and in the world of plants
and animals, whereby the latter, and all parts of the latter, are duly provided for as regards looahty, environ-
ment, food, &c.
As, on the one hand, it is impossible to conceive of the physical universe as a chance combination of hetero-
geneous substances and movements, so, on the other hand, it is impossible to imagine the great kingdom of plants
and animals as the product of spontaneous generation and of accident. The controlling power of the Creator
alone can explain the glories of the heavens and the wonders of animated nature. The same Master-Mind regulates
the outgoings and incomings of both. It is unphilosophical to assume that law and order prevail in every depart-