INTRODUCTORY 23 



but we have already mentioned that after having eaten, 

 they once more lose their positive heliotropism, they can 

 now creep downward until they reach a new leaf, the odor 

 or tactile stimulus of which stops the progressive move- 

 ments of the machine and sets their eating activity again 

 in motion." 



I want the reader to stop a moment here and consider 

 the absurdity of this statement. The actions described 

 by Mr. Loeb of this beetle are those of any intelligent 

 being under the same circumstances. When the beetle 

 comes out of the ground, he is hungry ; he knows where 

 to go to procure his food. Without having had any pre- 

 vious training or information as to where to find some- 

 thing to eat, he goes right after it. After having eaten 

 one bud, he goes after the next one. This knowledge of 

 where to go to find something to eat without having had 

 any information on the subject, other scientists call in- 

 stinct, but Mr. Loeb calls it heliotropism. He goes so 

 far as to state that but for this heliotropism, the beetle 

 would not know where to find his food and would starve 

 to death. Why should the beetle lose his heliotropic prop- 

 erty by eating a bud? Mr. Loeb states that this helio- 

 tropism would pin him to the top of the tree, but for the 

 fact that it is removed by the eating of the bud. Why 

 should the actions of the beetle, any more than those of 

 Mr. Loeb's, be those of heliotropism when going in search 

 of food? You may ask, how can the young beetle know 

 where to go without previous experience or information 

 as to where to find his food? That will be fully and clearly 

 explained under the chapter on heredity and instinctive 

 action. The reader must remember that the cells who 

 build the young beetle also direct its action and course, 

 just as we direct the action and course of a boat and 

 other vehicles. The experience and knowledge are in the 



