294 The Evolution of Optics. 



manifested, doubtless, in all biological processes, but not necessarily 

 the purpose and intelligence of a mechanical creator, outside the or- 

 ganism. I do not see how we can draw the line between consciousness 

 in the life of an organized creature and consciousness in the atom. I 

 believe that each atom is endowed with a consciousness of its own 

 that their structural combinations are thus intelligently guided in a 

 manner similar to that in which individuals unite to form societies 

 and states. Every consciousness, however, works in an orderly man- 

 ner, according to laws strictly mechanical in their nature. The prob- 

 lem is immensely complex ; but if we could grasp all its conditions we 

 could trace the operation of cause and effect throughout the entire 

 process, even up to the development of the highest qualities of sense- 

 perception and psychical activity. 



MR. ELLSWORTH WARNER : 



I must express my dissent from one of the conclusions of the lect- 

 urerthat involved in his advice to resort to the use of spectacles to 

 correct the tendency to near-sightedness arising from the artificial 

 conditions of our civilized life. I believe the true method is to com- 

 pel the eye to do its work, and thus the organ will in time adapt itself 

 to the necessities of its new situation. If the eye gets strained or 

 wearied by the necessity of viewing near objects in the daily routine 

 of life, let the person go out into the fields and among the hills, and 

 rest it by the contemplation of natural scenery. If we resort too 

 early to the use of spectacles, we encourage and increase the very weak- 

 ness and defect which we desire to guard against. 



DR. ALLEMAN, in closing, said that, in presenting the theory that the 

 eye was evolved from certain opaque pigments deposited in certain 

 parts of the skin, he had offered the only explanation of the evolution 

 'of the eye with which he was acquainted. He failed to see that Dr. 

 Gould had presented a more plausible theory. We must guard against 

 those theories which do not explain anything scientifically which are 

 merely confessions of our ignorance. Replying to Mr. Warner, he 

 said, if we could betake ourselves to the woods and lead an out-of-door 

 life we could, doubtless, get along without spectacles, but in the pres- 

 ent state of civilization that solution of the difficulty is hardly pos- 

 sible. 



