May not the effect be mechanical, the appulse of the air separating the flame from the wick.

The appulse or near approach is but one of the methods by which the spiral nebul may have come into existence.

Appulse, ap-puls′, n. a striking against: the approach of a planet to a conjunction with the sun or a star.

Every appulse of life against matter means an added push in the direction of spiritualization.