258 R. R LICORISH [october 



eye-spots may be induced to grow if steps be taken to initiate the 

 changes. Here we have evidence as to how the inherent power of the 

 organism — not the cells — may respond in a definite direction to fulfil 

 its requirements. 



In the evolution of the nervous system we must recognise two 

 stages of development, the one gradually merging into the other. As 

 Wilson says in his " Zoology " : " In the lower or invertebrate forms 

 of life, the nervous apparatus may be considered to be almost wholly 

 occupied in the reception of the ordinary sensations which minister to 

 the wants and necessities of existence, without any active or intelligent 

 appreciation of the causes or results of the sensations thus conveyed. 

 In the Vertebrata, on the other hand, we find the higher perfection 

 of the correlative apparatus associated with powers which place the 

 organism far above the rank and relations of a piece of automatic 

 mechanism." We accordingly notice this specialisation of the cor- 

 relative powers in these higher forms, evincing itself in the possession 

 of a power of appreciation of the origin of sensations known as " in- 

 telligence " ; whilst, in virtue of this latter feature, we find another 

 and distinctive power superadded, which is devoted to the regulation 

 of the movements of the body, and which is known as the power of 

 " volition " or " will." Now, it is the possession of these varied and 

 distinctive features, due in the lower orders to reflex nerve action, and 

 in the higher to a species of intelligence, that led Lamarck to denote 

 as needs, wants, or desires the processes through which animals satisfy 

 the physical wants of their bodies. For whilst, in the lower, that 

 process by which the exigencies of the organism are satisfied, may be 

 considered as in response to a need, as in the vegetable world ; in the 

 higher, a species of will is manifested, as the will for food, etc., and 

 this may certainly be construed as a desire. 



Professor Conklin, in an able article on the factors of organic 

 evolution (in "Footnotes of Evolution," by Professor Jordan), has 

 arrived at some inconclusive deductions, under the head " Use and 

 Disuse." He remarks : " I take an example which will serve as an 

 illustration of a whole class. Jackson says that the elongated siphon 

 of My a, the long-necked clam, is due to the habit of burrowing in the 

 mud ; or, to quote his own words, ' It seems very evident that the 

 long siphon of this genus was brought about by the effort to reach 

 the surface induced by the habit of deep burial.' It certainly would 

 be pertinent to inquire (asks Professor Conklin) where it got this 

 habit, and how it happened to be transmitted. It is surely as difficult 

 to explain the acquisition and inheritance of habits, the basis of which 

 we do not know, as it is to explain the acquisition and inheritance of 

 structure which are tangible and visible." That Professor Conklin 

 does not understand the acquisition of habits shows clearly that he 

 does not understand Lamarck. I have already in these pages explained 

 my interpretation of the nature of functions, but my point may 



