8o Heredity and Social Progress 



side in the way it may occur. The elementary 

 form of cell growth is an aggregate extending 

 in two directions from the partially divided 

 germ cell, each part duplicating the other. If 

 these two parts do not have equal growth, one 

 will overreach the other. This overreaching 

 produces a fold, and a fold has the possibilities 

 of an ovary. The surplus energy of the origi- 

 nal cell does not now go out to so complete a 

 degree in the formation of somatic cells, but 

 a bud is formed with all the qualities of the 

 original cell. It tends to pass out through the 

 enclosure and become an independent organ- 

 ism. But to get out, it must break through 

 the envelope that encloses the cells. If it suc- 

 ceeds, then new organisms result ; but if the 

 envelope is too strong or elastic, this series of 

 enclosed cells becomes nerves. Nerves are to 

 be thought of as motor organs made passive 

 because the germ cells from which they are 

 derived cannot get the outer position on which 

 movement and more complete growth depend. 

 They thus have new functions forced on them 

 in harmony with the organism within which 

 they are enclosed. Being more responsive to 



