112 THE DATA OF BIOLOGY. 



correspondence between inner and outer actions is maintained, 

 no longer form part of such processes, we must admit that 

 the continuance of them implies a vital activity. 



Embryological changes force the same truth upon us. 

 What are we to say of the repeated cell-fissions by which in 

 some types a blastula, or mulberry-mass, is formed, and in 

 other types a blastoderm? Neither these processes nor the 

 structures immediately resulting from them, show any corre- 

 spondences with co-existences and sequences in the environ- 

 ment; though they are first steps towards the organization 

 which is to carry on such correspondences. Even this ex- 

 tremely small fulfilment of the definition is absent in the 

 cases of rudimentary organs, and especially those rudimentary 

 organs which after being partly formed are absorbed. No 

 adjustment can be alleged between the inner relations which 

 these present and any outer relations. The outer relations 

 they refer to ceased millions of years ago. Yet unquestion- 

 ably the changes which bring about the production and ab- 

 sorption of these futile structures are vital changes. 



Take another class of exceptions. What are we to say of 

 a laugh ? No correspondence, or part of a correspondence, by 

 which inner actions are made to balance outer actions, can be 

 seen in it. Or again, if, while working, an artisan whistles, 

 the making of the sounds and the co-ordination of ideas con- 

 trolling them, cannot be said to exhibit adjustment between 

 certain relations of thoughts, and certain relations of things. 

 Such kinds of vital activities lie wholly outside of the defini- 

 tion given. 



But perhaps the clearest and simplest proof is yielded by 

 contrasting voluntary and involuntary muscular actions. 

 Here is a hawk adapting its changing motions to the chang- 

 ing motions of a pigeon, so as eventually to strike it: the 

 adjustment of inner relations to outer relations is manifest. 

 Here is a boy in an epileptic fit. Between his struggles and 

 the co-existences and sequences around him there is no corre- 

 spondence whatever. Yet his movements betray vitality just 



