180 Causes and Course of Organic Evolution 



when a nitrite becomes a nitrate. But the new body accurately 

 transmits definite crystaUizing and growth potentiaHties that 

 differ from those of the original substance. If this be true 

 for all inorganic bodies, and not equally so for all organic bodies, 

 then some law or principle must be acting that shelters organ- 

 isms from its action. 



In the work above quoted, Cope says (p. 476): "Herbert 

 Spencer has defined evolution as a process of 'integration of 

 matter and dissipation of motion'; 'the absorption of motion 

 and the diffusion of matter' he terms dissolution (First Prin- 

 ciples, Ed. 2, 1873, p. 542). If by evolution Mr. Spencer 

 referred only to that of inorganic bodies and masses, his defini- 

 tion must be accepted; but the evolution of organic bodies, 

 since it has proceeded in a direction the opposite of the inor- 

 ganic, cannot be so characterized. Organic evolution has 

 passed beyond the domain of the inorganic, and the terms 

 applicable to the latter process cannot be correctly applied to 

 the former. In organic anagenesis there is absorption of energy ; 

 dissipation of energy is only knoTMi in the functioning of organic 

 structures, which is catagenetic; not in their progressive evo- 

 lution, which is anagenetic." 



If Cope's contention be correct, then much of the present 

 volume is incorrect and superfluous. But, if we examine one 

 or two of the expressions in light of exact scientific results, 

 it will be seen that these are the expressions which largely 

 have retarded scientific advance. Thus when he says "organic 

 evolution has passed beyond the domain of the inorganic" we 

 believe he would have correctly expressed his own views as a 

 Neo-Lamarckian had he said "organic evolution has risen upon 

 and rests on the domain of the inorganic." So, also, instead 

 of adding "the terms appHcable to the latter process cannot 

 be correctly applied to the former," had he said "the terms 

 applicable to the latter process can often accordingly be cor- 

 rectly applied to the former," he would have expressed the 

 true position. Not only so the larger part of every chemical 

 text-book can simjjly and accurately be termed the environal 

 actions and reactions of cosmic bodies. 



