SECONDAKY CAUSES 261 



that had gone before. And, as every living cell is im- 

 bued with what we call instinct, which directs its 

 energies, it follows that in physiology action and re- 

 action are not equal and opposite. Indeed, every or- 

 ganism inherits from its parents a store of energy 

 which directs growth, and which appears to be inex- 

 haustible. It is drawn upon during the whole period 

 of growth, w 7 hich in some plants lasts all through life, 

 and yet abundance is left for transmission to its off- 

 spring, no matter how numerous they may be. The 

 store increases instead of diminishes ; and we cannot 

 tell why. Until some explanation can be given, it is 

 not only permissible but reasonable to view the 

 origin of life as due to some guiding action outside 

 of natural law ; especially when we remember what 

 that break in continuity has led to. 



Again, it has been often pointed out that the 

 genesis of consciousness is as great a mystery as the 

 genesis of life, and that it seems to be equally opposed 

 to the law of conservation of energy. And it is 

 generally allowed that, for the exhibition of con- 

 sciousness, a brain-cortex is required ; but how matter 

 in the brain-cortex becomes self-conscious we cannot 

 understand. However, if Professor Hering's theory 

 is correct, mind is a necessary concomitant of life, 

 so that the origin of the two is one and the same 

 problem. Also, as consciousness may be lost as in 

 habit and regained by attention, it is possible that 

 consciousness may be a constant function of mind, 

 but one that cannot become efficient until a large 

 number of specially formed cells are accumulated in 

 a brain-cortex. I cannot therefore see that the 



