The Evolution of Mind. 2 1 1 



potentially in that unknowable Power which, other- 

 wise conditioned, is manifested in physical action 

 (Principles of Psychology, 273-4), I demur to the 

 conclusion that it at first exists under the form of 

 pleasure and pain."* Mr. Spencer does not question 

 that "the raw material of consciousness is present 

 even in undifferentiated protoplasm." Out of this 

 raw material evolutionism undertakes to produce the 

 manufactured article. Let us scrutinize this undif- 

 ferentiated protoplasm : What do we find ? Only 

 processes of physical change atoms and their motions, 

 atoms and their motions only. Along that entire 

 series, exceeding in extent, multiplicity, and intricacy 

 all powers of thought, there appears nothing having 

 knowable kinship with self-conscious intelligence. 

 The atoms whirl in ceasless eddies, combine and re- 

 combine, form system after system of molecules, ever 

 growing in complexity until they arrive at the stage 

 of protein compounds. They aggregate into proto- 

 plasm ; but no thrill of atom or internal throb of 

 molecule contains, so far as intelligence can judge, the 

 promise of self-conscious life. If the raw material 

 of consciousness is there, it is indistinguishable : if 

 the process of manufacture is going on, it is undis- 

 coverable. 



But when physical law fails, the incomprehensible* 

 is at hand to rescue the evolutionist from manifest 



* Data of Ethics, 39, Note. 



