196 The Evolution Hypothesis. 



genesis neccessitates the conclusion that organic 

 evolution proceeds after this manner. For since it 

 is proved that no germ contains the slightest rudi- 

 ment, trace, or indication of the future organism 

 since the microscope has shown that the first process 

 set up in every fertilized germ is a process of repeated 

 spontaneous fissions ending in the production of a 

 mass of cells, not one of which exhibits any special 

 character The partial organization is trans- 

 formed by the agencies acting upon it into the suc- 

 ceeding phase of organization, and this into the next, 

 until, through ever increasing complexities, the ulti- 

 mate form is reached Structureless, as every 



germ originally is, the development of an organism 

 out of it is otherwise impossible."* 



One cannot but admire the intelligence with which 

 the incident forces are supposed to act : for it is note- 

 worthy, that however the balance in families may 

 be, the number of male and female children, if ac- 

 count be taken of the entire population, is nearly 

 equal. It is quite remarkable how, over the entire 

 animal kingdom, the balance of the incident forces 

 works out a numerical proportion between the sexes, 

 which, however it may vary, is always exactly 

 adjusted to the well-being of the species. It is 

 surely to be excused if one feel sceptical as to the 

 completeness of an explanation which ascribes such 



* First Principles, 159. 



