mi THE MEANING OF EVOLUTION 271 



ment of descent which is materiality itself, so all organized 

 beings, from the humblest to the highest, from the first 

 origins of life to the time in which we are, and in all places 

 as in all times, do but evidence a single impulsion, the 

 inverse of the movement of matter, and in itself indivisible. 

 All the living hold together, and all yield to the same 

 tremendous push. The animal takes its stand on the 

 plant, man bestrides animality, and the whole of humanity, 

 in space and in time, is one immense army galloping beside 

 and before and behind each of us in an overwhelming 

 charge able to beat down every resistance and clear the 

 most formidable obstacles, perhaps even death. 



