THE LAW OF EVOLUTION 



comitant absorption of motion. The former 

 process, which results in the acquirement of 

 an individual existence by sensible objects, has 

 been named Evolution — the latter process, 

 which results in the loss of individual existence 

 by sensible objects, has been named Dissolu- 

 tion. And we saw it to be a corollary from the 

 universality of rhythm that, while these two 

 antagonist processes must ever be going on 

 simultaneously, there must be an alternation of 

 epochs during which now the former and now 

 the latter is predominant. In conclusion, it was 

 barely hinted that these two fundamental modes 

 of redistribution must give rise, in the majority 

 of cases, to secondary redistributions, which it 

 is the business of a scientific philosophy to de- 

 fine and formulate. 



Now, as we are about to start upon a long 

 and complicated inquiry, the proper treatment 

 of which must task our utmost resources of 

 exposition, it will be desirable at the outset to 

 disencumber ourselves of all such luggage as 

 we are not absolutely obliged to take along 

 with us. We shall therefore, for the present, 

 leave the process of Dissolution entirely out of 

 the account, or shall refer to it only incidentally, 

 in cases where such a reference may assist in 

 the elucidation of the counter-process. In the 

 following chapter we shall have occasion to treat 

 of Dissolution in some detail as exemplified in 

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