28 Vitality and Organization of Protoplasm. 



Likewise, wholly obscured, remains the process of proliferation by 

 means of self-division. For how does a complex vital unit divide into 

 two equal halves? To do so mechanically, as is usually believed, it would 

 have to be a mere cluster of still more elementary equal units, while 

 if it is conceived as an organic whole, whose component elements are 

 diversly constituted and specifically arranged, it renders mechanical 

 division into two equal parts impossible. We have here, then, in these 

 asumed ultimate self-dividing imits, to face, wholly intact, the entire 

 ontogenetic problem, for whose explanation they are expressly invented. 



Organisms of highly complex structure actually and visibly divide into 

 two equal halves. How is this eminently vital feat accomplished? No 

 valid explanation has yet been offered for it by current biology. 



Without assimilation of nutritive material no genuine growth, and 

 without growth no reproduction. For reproduction is essentially evolu- 

 tional growth of a germ to adult stature, by means of progressive assimi- 

 lation. 



Obviously, then, before the fundamental and essential vital processes 

 of assimilation, growth and reproduction are themselves scientifically 

 explained, no valid theory of ontogenetic evolution can possibly be 

 formulated. In the current ontogenetic theories, instead of explaining 

 assimilation, growth, and reproduction, these fundamental vital pro- 

 cesses have been simply taken for granted, and ontogenetic explanation 

 has merely consisted in a more or less ingenious grouping of assimilat- 

 ing, growing and reproducing hypothetical units. 



The aggregational theory, the theory that the complex organism is 

 formed of clusters of autonomous units, is found to break down at every 

 stage, and under every mode of hypothetical assumption. It meets its 

 most grievous break-down, however, when the unitary organism and the 

 unitary functions, of highly constituted living individuals are m.ade to 

 be constructed and actuated by a multitude of autonomous elementary 

 units. jSTothing short of a constant miracle could under these conditions 

 bring into existence and maintain the intricately organized constitution 

 of higher forms of life, and superintend, moreover, the blending of their 

 separate and different elementary functions, so as to assure their har- 

 monious co-operation; could, in fact, constitute the higher organism 

 a functionally and morphologically indiscerptible whole. 



The myriads of vital units, in order conjointly and aim fully to con- 

 struct the minutely and exquisitely organized frame of higher organisms, 

 and harmoniously to actuate its divers and yet interdependent functions; 

 in order to accomplish this prodigious task, these innumerable elemen- 

 tary beings would have to be endowed with psychical powers and co- 

 operative skill infinitely surpassing anything we are conversant with 

 even in the highest living beings. 



These plain objections to aggregational theories, repeatedly urged by 



I the present writer in English and German periodicals during the last 



j twenty-five years have hitherto remained unheeded. They are, however, 



beginning to be corroborated by investigators occupied witli experi- 



