302 THE WHENCE AND THE WHITHER OF MAN 



dominates cell-formation, using for the same purpose 

 one, several, or many cells, massing its material and 

 directing its movements, and shaping its organs as if 

 cells did not exist, or as if they existed only in com- 

 plete subordination to its will, if I may so speak. 

 The organization of the egg is carried forward to the 

 adult as an unbroken physiological unity, or indi- 

 viduality, through all modifications and transforma- 

 tions." And Wilson, Whitman, Hertwig, and others 

 urge " that the organism as a whole controls the for- 

 mative processes going on in each part" of the embryo. 

 And many years ago Huxley wrote, " They (the cells) 

 are no more the producers of the vital phenomena 

 than the shells scattered along the sea-beach are the 

 instruments by which the gravitative force of the 

 moon acts upon the ocean. Like these, the cells mark 

 only where the vital tides have been, and how they 

 have acted." * 



" Interaction of cells ' can help us but little. For 

 how can neighboring cells direct others placed in a 

 new position ? The expression, if not positively mis- 

 leading and untrue, is at the best only a restatement 

 of fact. It certainly offers no explanation. Flood- 

 tide is not due to the interaction of particles of water, 

 though this may influence the form of the waves. 



The centre of control is therefore not to be sought 

 in individual cells, whether germ-cells or somatic, 

 but in the organism. And it is the whole organism, 

 one and indivisible, which controls in germ, embryo, 

 and adult, in egg and owl. This individuality, or 

 whatever you will call it, impresses itself upon de- 



*See articles by Whitman and Wilson, Journal of Morphology, vol. 

 viii.,pp. 649, 607, etc. 



