THE PATH OF EVOLUTION 



10th. We have learned thus far by the observa- 

 tion of nature's phenomena that a uniform system 

 exists throughout that no break occurs in the 

 chain of causation. All the processes have an estab- 

 lished order in which they move and have ever moved- 

 What are called the " Laws of Nature " is simply 

 the recognition of the fact that, so long as the condi- 

 tions in which phenomena occur, remain the same, 

 the phenomena will be the same. No change can or 

 will occur without an adequate and sufficient cause, 

 itself determined by existing relations that are estab- 

 lished between elementary matter and all the forms 

 of energy. 



In the inorganic world the combinations formed 

 and the phenomena shown by a group of molecules 

 remain permanently unchanged so long as the surround- 

 ing conditions outside of the mass remain the same. 

 Even the explosive combinations of Nitrogen with 

 Chlorine, or with other elements, remain unaltered 

 if not exposed to mechanical or vibratory motion. 

 The constituents of a mineral when once united 

 stay unchanged, unless new surfaces are presented to 

 the air or water, or changes in temperature occur. 

 Rocks and mountains rise or are washed away ; but 

 the earth's contraction, often producing volcanoes and 

 earthquakes, causes the one, and the rain, heat or 

 frost the other. The planets continue in their 



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