FUNCTION. 211 



function takes precedence of structure, seems also implied in 

 the definition of Life. If Life is shown by inner actions so 

 adjusted as to balance outer actions if the implied energy is 

 the substance of Life while the adjustment of the actions 

 constitutes its form; then may we not say that the actions 

 to be formed must come before that which forms them 

 that the continuous change which is the basis of function, 

 must come before the structure which brings function into 

 shape ? Or again, since in all phases of Life up to the 



highest, every advance is the effecting of some better adjust- 

 ment of inner to outer actions; and since the accompanying 

 new complexity of structure is simply a means of making 

 possible this better adjustment; it follows that the achieve- 

 ment of function is, throughout, that for which structure 

 arises. Not only is this manifestly true where the modifi- 

 cation of structure results by reaction from modification of 

 function ; but it is also true where a modification of structure 

 otherwise produced, apparently initiates a modification of 

 function. For it is only when such so-called spontaneous 

 modification of structure subserves some advantageous action, 

 that it is permanently established. If it is a structural 

 modification that happens to facilitate the vital activities, 

 " natural selection " retains and increases it ; but if not, it 

 disappears. 



The connexion which we noted between heterogeneity of 

 structure and heterogeneity of function a connexion made 

 so familiar by experience as to appear scarcely worth specify- 

 ing is clearly a necessary one. It follows from the general 

 truth that in proportion to the heterogeneity of any aggregate, 

 is the heterogeneity it will produce in any incident force 

 (First Principles, 156). The energy continually liberated 

 in the organism by decomposition, is here the incident force; 

 the functions are the variously modified forms produced in 

 its divisions by the organs they pass through; and the more 

 multiform the organs the more multiform must be the dif- 

 ferentiations of the force passing through them. 



