Chap. II. INDIVIDUALITY AMONCx ACALEPHS. 89 



to show that branches in the animal kingdom arc Ibnndcd upon different phms 

 of structure, and for that very reason have embraced from the beginning repre- 

 sentatives l^etween which there couki be no community of origin ; that classes are 

 founded upon different modes of execution of these plans, and therefore they also 

 embrace rejjresentatives which could have no community of origin ; that orders 

 rejH'esent the different degrees of complication in the niode of execution of each 

 class, and therefore embrace repi'csentatives that could not have a community of 

 origin any more than the memljers of different classes or branches ; that families 

 are founded upon different patterns of form, and embrace representatives equally 

 independent in their origin ; that genera are founded upon ultimate peculiarities 

 of structure, embracing representatives, which, from the very nature of their 

 peculiarities, could have no community of origin ; and that, finally, species are 

 based upon relations and proportions that exclude, as much as all the preceding 

 distinctions, the idea of a common descent. 



As the cpmmunity of characters among the beings belonging to these different 

 categories arises from the intellectual connection which shows them to be categories 

 of thought, they cannot be the result of a gradual material differentiation of the 

 objects themselves. The argument on which these views are founded may be 

 summed up in the following few words : species, genera, flimilies, etc., exist as 

 thoughts ; individuals, as facts. It is presented at full length in the first volume 

 of this work (pp. 137-168), where I have shown that individuals alone have a 

 definite material existence, and that they are for the time being the jjearers, not 

 only of specific characteristics, but of all the natural features in which animal life 

 is displayed in all its diversity; individuality lacing, in fact, the great mystery of 

 organic life. 



Since the arguments presented by Darwin in favor of a universal derivation, 

 from one primary form, of all the pecuharities existing now among living beings, 

 have not made the slightest impression on my mind, or modified in any way the 

 views I have already propounded, I may fairly refer the reader to the paragraphs 

 alluded to above as containing sufficient evidence of their correctness; and I will 

 here only add a single argument, which seems to leave the question where I 

 have placed it. Had Darwin or his followers furnished a single fiict to show 

 that individuals change, in the course of time, in such a manner as to produce, 

 at last, species different from those known before, the state of the case might be 

 different.! But it stands recorded now as before, that the animals known to the 



1 It seems to me that tliere is much confusion not exist at all, as the supporters of the trans- 



of ideas in the general statement, of the variability mutation theory maintain, how can they vary ? And 



of species, so often repeated of late. If species do if individuals alone exist, how can the differences 

 VOL. III. 12 



