OBVERSE 1 PRIORI PRINCIPLE. 429 



that which is indirectly subtracted in the shape of matter 

 consumed in exertions for fostering the young. Hence 

 this inverse variation is not expressible in simple terms of 

 aggregation and separation. As we advance to more highly- 

 evolved organisms, the total cost of an individual becomes 

 very much greater than is implied by the amount of tissue 

 composing it. So, too, the total cost of producing each new 

 individual becomes very much greater than that of its mere 

 substance. And it is between these two total costs that the 

 antagonism exists. 



We may, indeed, reduce the antagonism to a form com 

 prehensive of all cases, if we consider it as existing between 

 the sums of the forces, latent and active, used for the two 

 purposes. The molecules which make up a plant or animal, 

 have been formed by the absorption of forces directly or 

 indirectly derived from the Sun; and hence the quantity of 

 matter raised to the form called organic, which a plant or 

 animal presents, is equivalent to a certain amount of force. 

 Another amount of force is expressed by the totality of its 

 differentiations. A further amount of force is that dissipated 

 in its actions. And in these three amounts added together, 

 we have the whole expense of the individual life. So, too, 

 the whole expense of establishing each new individual in 

 cludes first the forces latent in the substance composing 

 it when born or hatched; second the forces latent in the 

 prepared nutriment afterwards supplied ; and third the forces 

 expended in feeding and protecting it. These two sets of 

 forces being taken from a common fund, it is manifest that 

 either set can increase only by decrease of the other. If, of 

 the force which the parent obtains from the environment, 

 much is consumed in its own life, little remains to be con 

 sumed in producing other lives; and, conversely, if there is 

 a great consumption in producing other lives, it can only be 

 where comparatively little is reserved for parental life. 



Hence, then, Individuation and Genesis are necessarily 

 antagonistic. Grouping under the word Individuation all 



