EVOLUTION AND HUMAN DESTINY 



among the larger and relatively more complex pro- 

 tozoa. This process is the very opposite of fission. It is 

 a form of cell fusion, the temporary joining of two 

 cells for the purpose of inter-changing parts of their 

 nuclei. The biologist terms this process conjugation. 



This is indeed a surprising phenomenon. On first 

 analysis it does not seem to accomplish what reproduc- 

 tion is supposed to do. It appears to contract rather 

 than to expand the abundance of the species. Yet it is 

 certainly a highly significant process, as it tends to re- 

 activate and to prevent eventual enfeeblement of the 

 individuals participating in the conjugation process. 

 At the same time it seems to constitute a process ante- 

 cedent to that of the germ cells of multicellular organ- 

 isms. Investigation of the significance of this process 

 reveals highly interesting data concerning the phe- 

 nomenon of death in living matter. It also furnishes 

 data about the significance of sexual reproduction in 

 higher organisms. 



In many ways the following chapter, which discusses 

 these matters, stands separate from the rest of the book. 

 If the argument advanced in the chapter should not 

 prove acceptable to the reader, the main thesis of this 

 presentation would still not be negated. Since the the- 

 ory to be advanced in the next chapter appears quite 

 logical and provides explanation where there has been 

 none advanced elsewhere, the temptation to present it 

 here cannot be resisted. 



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