66 LEISURE-TIME STUDIES. 



vary in extent throughout the animal world, doubtless in 

 obedience to some law, which determines the closer interde- 

 pendence of the different parts of animals, the higher we ad- 

 vance in the zoological scale. To put the matter in its plainest 

 light, we may compare the organisation of the hydra and 

 its neighbours to that of a " republic." The essential 

 feature of this form of human association, I take to be com- 

 prised in the broad statement that one man or member of 

 the republic is as good as any other man or member ; and 

 that each man (theoretically) has an equal voice with his 

 neighbour in the conduct and rule of the state. In that 

 form of government to which the name of "limited monarchy" 

 is applied, the levelling, equalising tendencies of the republic 

 are wanting. Every one person is not equal in rank or 

 value to every other person, but, although each has theoreti- 

 cally his definite place and voice in the rule and manage- 

 ment of the state, some assume a higher rank and power 

 than others. Applying the comparison to the case before 

 us, we can at least form an intelligent conception of the 

 relative nature of the powers of the lower and higher animal. 

 The hydra emphatically represents an animal democracy 

 a veritable republic. One part is as good as any other part, 

 when demands are made upon it for reparation and growth ; 

 and this quality of self-support and independence, this power 

 of existing separate from other parts, forms the especial feature 

 in virtue of which the organisation of the hydra becomes so 

 plastic under the most trying conditions, and so well adapted 

 in virtue of its inherent powers to rebuild the disorganised 

 fabric. In man and higher animals, on the other hand, we 

 find exemplified a form of vital government represented most 

 nearly by the limited monarchy. Here, whilst each portion 

 of the organism possesses a certain share in the constitution 

 and management of affairs, some parts and notably the 

 nervous system take precedence of, and serve to unite 

 the others. The principle of regulation and interde- 

 pendence thus involved, simply renders it impossible for 

 all parts to possess equal reparative powers. Hence, lost 



