THE NEW LEVIATHAN 385 



break down, and in the end better serve to demonstrate 

 the existence of real differences rather than make the 

 resemblances more intelligible. 



The main point is that in both cases the individuali- 

 ties that we call cells, or organs, and those that we call 

 social groups, or states, are merely localized spheres of 

 cooperative life of various dimensions. They are situ- 

 ated, it may be, side by side, or surrounded, and wholly 

 enclosed by many others, but in all cases separated and 

 shut off from one another by fluctuating barriers of 

 time and space that control and graduate the range, 

 volume, and character of the mutual exchange between 

 them. 



III. The Evidences of Organized World Life 



In the development of embryonic life, among the 

 first evidences of vital action, and perhaps the most 

 striking fact to the observer, is the unerring emergence 

 of definite bodily structures out of apparent emptiness. 

 For here life frankly displays before the critical, but 

 ever baffled gaze of science, the translation of its invis- 

 ible agencies into concrete forms. 



Then other signs of vital action rise. Miniature 

 lakes and streams of nutrient fluids form ; and in them, 

 acquisitive cells are presently launched which ride on 

 swirling currents through guardian channels, traffick- 

 ing with every shore. Along widening crevices, be- 

 tween more substantial structures, sense organs and 

 nerves throw out their lines to myriad expectant ter- 

 minals, bringing subtle impulses from abroad, and 

 transmitting messages from cell to cell, in advertise- 

 ment of present supplies and urgent necessities. 



