PREFACE 



meaning of terms, or adding assumptions, or otherwise drifting 

 towards confusion. The aim proved achievable. The concepts 

 of organisation, behaviour, change of behaviour, part, whole, 

 dynamic system, co-ordination, etc. — notoriously elusive but 

 essential — were successfully given rigorous definition and welded 

 into a coherent whole. But the rigour and coherence depended 

 on the mathematical form, which is not read with ease by every- 

 body. As the basic thesis, however, rests on essentially common- 

 sense reasoning, I have been able to divide the account into two 

 parts. The main account (Chapters 1-18) is non-mathematical 

 and is complete in itself. The Appendix (Chapters 19-22) contains 

 the mathematical matter. 



Since the reader will probably need cross-reference frequently, 

 the chapters have been divided into sections. These are indicated 

 thus: S. 4/5, which means Chapter ,4's fifth section. Each figure 

 and table is numbered within its own section: Figure 4/5/2 is the 

 second figure in S. 4/5. Section-numbers are given at the top of 

 every page, so finding a section or a figure should be as simple 

 and direct as finding a page. 



It is a pleasure to be able to express my indebtedness to the 

 Governors of Barnwood House and to Dr. G. W. T. H. Fleming 

 for their generous support during the prosecution of the work, and 

 to Professor F. L. Golla and Dr. W. Grey Walter for much help- 

 ful criticism. 



VI 



