50 HEREDITY. 



is the objection ; and that, I suppose, is the Malakoff 

 of English materialism. 



5. My reply is that when I define life strictly as 

 the 'co-ordinating power governing the movements 

 of germinal matter, I do not know that this power 

 is increased by the multiplication of the bioplasts. 

 The power of co-ordination is the subtlest power in life ; 

 and this power resides in the original germ; and we 

 do not know that it is increased by the growth of the 

 living subject. 



I admit that chemical forces are drawn into the 

 labyrinth of activity in the living tissues, but not that 

 the co-ordinating power behind the bioplasts is in- 

 creased. Very evidently that power is not changed, 

 for the plan of an organism is the same from first to 

 last, through its whole growth. 



We do not know that the weaver is any more 

 skilful when the web is half woven than when he has 

 merely set the web, and first begins to throw the 

 shuttle. 



There is an increase in the amount of power mani- 

 fested by the organism ; but there is no increase in 

 the co-ordinating power, which is what materialism 

 never accounts for. 



The weaver has just as much co-ordinating power 

 when the web is arranged for the first stroke of the 

 shuttle as he has after it is woven, and the finished 

 product is held up in its glory before admiring eyes. 

 The co-ordinating power is what I call life ; and in 

 the germ of your eagle, your man, your lion, your 

 swallow, that co-ordinating power has a law such 



