CHAPTER XVIII 



CONCLUSION 



INORGANIC evolution is due to physical and chemical 

 laws only. At its commencement energy was at its 

 maximum, and the process has been one of degrada- 

 tion. Although inorganic matter is constantly 

 changing its position , it does not get more and more 

 complex as time goes on, after reduction of tempera- 

 ture has allow r ed chemical affinity to act. The rocks 

 and minerals of the Palaeozoic era are identical with 

 those of the Cainozoic ; the surface of the earth , 

 also, was no doubt as diversified by plain and moun- 

 tain, by land and water, in ancient times as it is 

 now. The process is one of simplification. The 

 tendency of gravitation is to draw all matter to- 

 gether, and the tendency of dissipation is to equalise 

 energy. 



Organic evolution, on the contrary, commenced at 

 a minimum and the process is one of exaltation. 

 Living substance tends to become more and more 

 complicated ; and this difference is due to the intro- 

 duction of mind on to the earth. Inorganic matter 

 is controlled by laws which are not intelligent, but 

 which have been devised by intelligence. Living 

 matter has intelligence of its own and can modify 



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