202 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



and bring us into a more intimate relation with 

 the universe. An earnest study of physical 

 science will enable mankind to attain their 

 high position, for which they are destined on 

 earth. We became first acquainted with the 

 physical, next the chemical, and now the or- 

 ganic laws ;* and it is Confidently hoped, 

 that continued observation will yet solve the 

 problem, regarding the cause of all physical 

 activity, which has been sought for in vain by 



* "In respect to that evolution which individual 

 organism displays, the question has been answered by the 

 Germans. The investigations of Wolff, Gothe, and von Bear 

 have established the truth, that the series of changes gone 

 through during the development of a seed into a tree, or an 

 ovum into an animal, constitute an advance from homo- 

 geneity of structure to heterogeneity of structure. In its 

 primary stage every germ consists of a substance, uniform 

 throughout both in texture and chemical composition. The 

 first step is the appearance of a difference between two 

 parts of this substance ; or, as the phenomenon is called 

 in psychological language, a differentiation. Each of these 

 differentiated divisions presently begins itself to exhibit 

 some contrast of parts ; and by and by these secondary 

 differentiations become as definite as the original one. This 

 process is continually repeated is simultaneously going on 

 in all parts of the growing embryo ; and by endless such 

 differentiations, there is finally produced that complex com- 

 bination of tissues and organs, constituting the adult animal 

 or plant. This is the history of all organism whatever."- 

 See Herbert Spencer s essay, " The Law of Evolution" 



