THE SHARK'S TEETH 



of a structure as a consequence of cessation of function. 

 Independently of the part it is to play, the organ is 

 created, shaped, augmented, by the formative, interior 

 energy proper to living matter. No, the needs of the 

 animal will make use of the organ if possible, or it 

 will dispense with it if it cannot do so : but this utilisa- 

 tion after the event, so to speak, however perfect it 

 may be, however adequate in relation to its object, 

 must not hide the origin itself — the active, funda- 

 mental power of life in its incessant process of creation. 

 By themselves, of themselves alone, use and disuse 

 create nothing, eliminate nothing. The function does 

 not create the organ : it can only mould it to its require- 

 ments. The cause for the building up of the organ, 

 and of its progressive improvement, is to be found 

 elsewhere. 



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