EVOLUTION AND VARIATION 57 



existence separated from the rest of the cosmos, 

 with possibilities of change, for life does not 

 exist except through change; it is always chang- 

 ing, never static, though it sometimes appears tc 

 be so in the resting stage, as in seeds, eggs, and 

 the hibernating state of plants, animals, and crys- 

 tals, all of which appear to be absolutely dead 

 and as lifeless as a brick; but furnish them with 

 their proper nourishing food, in a liquid form 

 with a temperature adapted to the heredity of 

 the species, and observe how quickly they resume 

 growth, even crystals, like plants, under the 

 proper environment, moving out of the resting 

 or dormant stage into the full manifestation of 

 all their attributes. 



The cell, being a protoplasmic substance in an 

 envelope — an individual mass of more or less 

 complicated chemical substances in a very un- 

 stable condition, separated from the rest of the 

 cosmos surrounding it by a case or wall — has 

 made the first step toward a moie complete life. 

 Until such separation, there is little opportunity 

 for any permanent individual change or evolu- 

 tion to occur. 



The protoplasm of the amoebic forms of life 

 is compelled to lead a very uncertain existence; 

 the better conservation of life must come from 

 a fuller individuality. This is assured by a skin 



