33^ THE HISTORY OF CEEATION. 



in regard to the forms of crystals. The differences which 

 exist between the simplest organic individuals and inorganic 

 crystals are determined by the solid state of aggregation of 

 the latter, and by the semi-fluid state of the former. 

 Beyond that the causes producing form are exactly the 

 same in both. This conviction forces itself upon us most 

 clearly, if we compare the exceedingly remarkable pheno- 

 mena of growth, adaptation, and the " correlation of parts " 

 of developing crystals with the corresponding phenomena 

 of the origin of the simplest organic individuals (Monera 

 and cells). The analogy between the two is so great that, 

 in reality, no accurate boundary can be drawn. In my 

 General Morphology I have quoted in support of this a 

 number of striking facts (Gen. Morph. i. 14(j, 156, 158.) 



If we vividly picture to ourselves this "unity of 

 organic and inorganic nature^,' this essential agreement of 

 organisms and anorgana in matter, form, and force, and if 

 we bear in mind that we are not able to establish any 

 one fundamental distinction between these two groups of 

 bodies (as was formerly generally assumed), then the ques- 

 tion of spontaneous generation will lose a great deal of the 

 difficulty which at first seems to surround it. Then the 

 development of the first organism out of inorganic matter 

 will appear a much more easily conceivable and intelligible 

 process than has hitherto been the case, whilst an artificial 

 absolute barrier between organic or animate, and inorganic 

 or inanimate nature was maintained. 



In the question of spontaneous generation, or archigony, 

 which we can now answer more definitely, it must be borne 

 in mind that by this conception we understand generally 

 the non-parental generation of an organic individual, the 



