vi DEVELOPMENT AND HARMONY 359 



to the maintenance of the union. In the one case the first 

 formation of an organic unity would be due to the break up 

 of a mechanical system, in the other to a synthesis of 

 elements, just as in the actual evolution of the organic 

 world, as well as in the evolution of mind and society, the 

 foundation of a new type is laid either by differentiation 

 from a pre-existing whole or by a synthesis of pre-existing 

 elements. 



The organism once formed moves, like any structure, on 

 a path prescribed by its internal arrangement. It is regard- 

 less of everything else, except so far as affects its own fate. 

 Indeed, any symptom of a correlation of its behaviour with 

 that of others may be taken as an indication of the begin- 

 ning of a new synthesis, whereby the organism will enter 

 as a constituent into a higher organism. But as compared 

 with the mechanical structure, two main points have to be 

 noted in the behaviour of the organism. The parts being 

 adaptable to the needs of the whole, the organism has flexi- 

 bility, and its line of action takes the course of a regular 

 development, reaching in the physical organism a time of 

 maturity, followed by a break up in the case of unicellular 

 organisms, or decay and death in the case of higher 

 organisms. Secondly, in maintaining and developing 

 itself, the organism lays hold on the outer world, converting 

 the energy of the environment, in the form of food, into 

 energy subservient to its own needs, and in greater or less 

 degree rearranging the environment generally in such wise 

 as to further its own ends. This is not organicity, but 

 organisation organisation being the arrangement of ele- 

 ments that remain mechanical with the view of producing 

 certain ends. Such organisation is the servant of the organic 

 principle, which by means of it secures its own development. 



We find then in organic development three moments or 

 distinguishable sets of conditions. 



i. In the formation of any new organic type there is a 

 synthesis of elements previously separate, and in their 

 separateness either held ineffective by counteracting forces 

 or, if acting, acting mechanically for simple lack of that 

 with which they can harmonise. 



ii. In the individual or the type so formed these ele- 



