CHAP. XI.] 



THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CAT. 



389 



successive appearance and disappearance effect a true process of 

 continued evolution bringing about a precise, definite and pre- 

 determined end by the operation of internal powers, which are 

 called into active exercise in accordance with their own internal 

 laws by the stimulus and co-operation of the various physical forces. 

 Thus the psychology of the cat shows us that there is latent and 

 potential in matter, special and peculiar substantial forms of force, 

 such as the psyche of the animal we are considering, and such as 

 the various lower forms which transitorily manifest themselves as 

 forma?, trameuntes, during its process of development. It also shows 

 us that the very action of one such form may be so ordered as to 

 result in its own annihilation in order to give place to another, 

 for the advent of which other its own activity has prepared the way, 

 and which other emerges from potential to actual existence the 

 moment the matter has assumed the condition apt for the new 

 form's manifestation. The psychology of the cat is, as has been 

 before said more than once, the physiology of the creature in its 

 entirety. We shall hereafter have to consider another unity that 

 of the race the evolution of which may, by a remote anology, be 

 termed " the physiology of the species." Such an expression is not, 

 however, exact, for a " species " is a creature of the intellect, and 

 no such creature can have any real action ; whereas the individual 

 animal, with its principle of individuation, is a concrete, really 

 existing, and really acting entity. Nevertheless we shall presently 

 see that the psychological considerations here put forward have 

 their bearing upon the question as to the origin and genesis of the 

 first cat and of the whole cat race. 



the advent of the rational principle at 

 once. The essential notion is the same 

 in either case, and the difference is but one 

 of degree. To accept the latter belief, 

 however, completely contradicts the 



doctrine of the necessary correspondence 

 of function with structure, and harmo- 

 nizes rather with the fables of mythology 

 than the teachings of science. 



