170 VITALISM AND SCHOLASTICISM 



directive force in living matter which has no 

 parallel in non-living substances. 



What they Nothing proves this more clearly than the 

 amount lo kind of explanation which is attempted to be 

 given by those who deny the existence of the 

 power in question. Amongst these the most pro- 

 minent of recent writers is Professor Weismann. 

 We have discussed the question of " adapta- 

 tions " in a previous chapter and here again 

 we find ourselves confronted with the same 

 explanation in connection with regeneration. 

 Professor Weismann, for example, speaking of 

 the behaviour of the tubularian which we 

 have just been considering says, as elsewhere 

 Adapta- quoted : " This also appears to us to be adap- 

 tive, and does not surprise us, since we have 

 long been accustomed to recognise that what 

 is adapted to an end will realise this if it be 

 possible at all." There is a sense in which 

 all this can be read in perfect consonance with 

 the scholastic theory. The " form " is adapted 

 to an end; the end of accomplishing what the 

 organism which it " informs " was intended to 

 accomplish; it is very doubtful whether Weis- 

 mann himself would be willing to accept the 

 full significance of his words; but it is well 

 to be quite clear on this matter as want of 

 clearness is at the bottom of half the misunder- 

 standings which exist on this fundamental 



