CHANGING IDENTITIES 



vironments were the cause of organism (or ma- 

 terial substance). 



And, let it be granted that the primary spheres 

 were in as close contact as the whole mass could be. 

 (Prop. I, B. 1.) 



Then not one of them could be made to change 

 position by any pressure whatever, for any pres- 

 sure would be equally on all. There could be 

 neither motion, environment, nor anything else but 

 a Universe full of primary spheres. 



But, let it be granted that the Universe was not 

 full of primary spheres at creation, and that a 

 pressure, acting on one primary sphere, was com- 

 municated to other primary spheres successively, 

 producing forms accidentally. 



Then the production of forms from primary 

 spheres multiplied the empty space or spaces and 

 thereby made more room for further interchange 

 and organization, and the necessity of equal ef- 

 fect from equal cause is done away with, and ever 

 increasing environment compels ever increasing or- 

 ganization. 



Or, let it be granted that the Universe is eternal, 

 then every change is caused by a former change 

 and every new form is cast in the mould of an old 

 form. 



Or, again, let it be granted that the Mosaic con- 

 ception is correct. Then the creation of void mat- 

 ter is a distinct act; the creation of force another 

 distinct act; and the organization of living identi- 

 ties another. And the setting apart the division of 



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