XL] SPECIFIC GENESIS. 263 



those of bilateral and vertical symmetry. Also, as the 

 atoms of a resonant body may be made to give out sound 

 by the juxtaposition of a vibrating tuning-fork, so it is 

 conceivable that the physiological units of a living 

 organism may be so influenced by surrounding condi- 

 tions (organic and other) that the accumulation of these 

 conditions may upset the previous rhythm of such units, 

 producing modifications in them a fresh chord in the 

 harmony of nature a new species ! 



But it may be again objected, that to say that species 

 arise by the help of an innate power possessed by organ- 

 isms is no explanation, but is a reproduction of the ab- 

 surdity, I' opium endormit parcequ'il a une vertu soporifique. 

 It is contended, however, that this objection does not 

 apply, even if it be conceded that there is that force in 

 Moliere's ridicule which is generally attributed to it. 1 

 Much, however, might be said in opposition to more 

 than one of that brilliant dramatist's smart philosophical 

 epigrams, just as to the theological ones of Voltaire, or 

 to the biological one of that other Frenchman who for a 

 time discredited a cranial skeletal theory by the phrase 

 " Vertebre pensante." 2 



In fact, however, it is a real explanation of how a man 

 lives, to say that he lives independently on his own income, 



1 If any one were to contend that beside the opium there existed a real 

 distinct objective entity, "its soporific virtue," he would be open to 

 ridicule indeed. But the constitution of our minds is such that we cannot 

 but distinguish ideally a thing from its even essential attributes and 

 qualities. The joke is sufficiently amusing, however, regarded as the 

 solemn enunciation of a truism. 



2 Noticed by Professor Owen in his "Archetype," p. 76. Recently it 

 has been attempted to discredit Darwinism in France by speaking of it as 

 ' ' de la science mousseuse ! " 



