[1] It appears exceptional for the crystal line configuration to stand higher in the scale of energy than the amorphous.

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a more than compensatory increase of potential molecular energy.

Thus, between growth in the living world and growth in the dead world, the energy relations with the environment reveal a marked contrast.  Again, in the phenomena of combustion, there are certain superficial resemblances which have led to comparison between the two.  Here again, however, the attitudes towards the energy of the environment stand very much as + and -.  The life absorbs, stores, and spends with economy.  The flame only recklessly spends.  The property of storage by the organism calls out a further distinction between the course of the two processes.  It secures that the chemical activity of the organism can be propagated in a medium in which the supply of energy is discontinuous or localised.  The chemical activity of the combustion can, strictly speaking, only be propagated among contiguous particles.  I need not dwell on the latter fact; an example of the former is seen in the action of the roots of plants, which will often traverse a barren place or circumvent an obstacle in their search for energy.  In this manner roots will find out spots of rich nutriment.

Thus there is a dynamic distinction between the progress of the organism and the progress of the combustion, or of the chemical reaction generally.  And although there be unstable chemical systems which absorb energy during reaction, these are (dynamically) no more than the expansion of the compressed gas.  There is a certain

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initial capacity in the system for a given quantity of energy; this satisfied, progress ceases.  The progress of the organism in time is continual, and goes on from less to greater so long as its development is unconstrained and the supply of energy is unlimited.

We must regard the organism as a configuration which is so contrived as to evade the tendency of the universal laws of nature.  Except we are prepared to believe that a violation of the second law of thermodynamics occurs in the organism, that a “sorting demon” is at work within it, we must, I think, assume that the interactions going on among its molecules are accompanied by retardation and dissipation like the rest of nature.  That such conditions are not incompatible with the definition of the dynamic attitude of the organism, can be shown by analogy with our inanimate machines which, by aid of hypotheses in keeping with the second law of thermodynamics, may be supposed to fulfil the energy-functions of the plant or animal, and, in fact, in all apparent respects conform to the definition of the organism.

We may assume this accomplished by a contrivance of the nature of a steam-engine, driven by solar energy.  It has a boiler, which we may suppose fed by the action of the engine.  It has piston, cranks, and other movable parts, all subject to resistance from friction, etc.  Now there is no reason why this engine should not expend its surplus energy in shaping, fitting, and starting into action other engines:—­in fact, in reproductive sacrifice.  All