200 SUPER-ORGANIC EVOLUTION 



In such cases it may be said that the rhythm is 

 broken. 



Reproduction is continuity of nutrition in fact, 

 the formula N (A, B, C, D) reproduced in another 

 being, a new vibration of the same rhythm. The 

 more equally balanced the formula N is, the more 

 the children are like the parents ; and, on the con- 

 trary, the children will differ all the more, the less 

 equally balanced the said formula N. 



We may define heredity as the perpetuation in 

 the children of the formula N of their progenitors. 



Charrin says : 1 " If one wishes to explain the 

 action of nutrition reduced to its elementary phase, 

 one will note that it consists in the penetration to 

 the cell itself of the plasmatic principles of aliments, 

 and of their assimilation in the inside of the cell, 

 excluding what is useless. 



" Well then, the nervous system, that great 

 dominating apparatus, on distending or contracting 

 the size of the vessels which form the capillary net, 

 and producing changes in them, whether in the 

 pressure or the speed of the current, controls the 

 presence of elements fit for assimilation and 

 excludes the harmful ones ; this nervous apparatus 

 can at its will invite hunger or infect with poison. 

 Stated otherwise : its nutritive power over the 

 tissues and their powers of tension may cause 



1 Charrin, Poisons de I'organisme. 



