The Formula of Evolution. 143 



display in the highest degree the structural changes 

 constituting evolution." Yet it would be as easy to 

 bring the cosmos, viewed after Plato's conception as 

 an animal, and Plato himself, under the same biolo- 

 gical laws, as to embrace under one law of the redis- 

 tribution of matter and motion the living body and 

 the entire universe. In the evolution of any living 

 thing from germ to maturity, every principle of cosmic 

 evolution is violated the force does not persist, the 

 matter does not remain equal in quantity, the sum of 

 the motion does not continue the same. A law based on 

 constancy of amount cannot be adapted to ceaseless 

 increase and diminution. The process is not one of 

 redistribution of materials, but of ingathering, sorting, 

 and changing. So far as evolution is exemplified in the 

 growth of any living thing, or in the larger group of 

 changes embodied in the development of a species or 

 variety, it proceeds equally whether force persist or 

 not. Any given portion of force ceases to persist as 

 regards the individual or the class, so soon as it has 

 passed out of the environment ; it may persist in the 

 vast tracts of space beyond Sirius, but for the living 

 thing it exists no more. If evolution be redistribution 

 of matter and motion, then its formula is inapplicable 

 to the growth of organic forms, and they are exempted 

 from its law ; if evolution be not redistribution of 

 matter and motion, then it conflicts with Mr. Spencer's 

 first principles, and the foundation of his philosophy 

 is shaken. Taking it either way, we are driven to 



