EVOLUTIONS OF ORGANIZATION. 31 



same law. In the evolution of vegetation, which 

 everywhere exhibits definite individuals, or organs, 

 structurally united in indefinite series, the highest 

 groups are composed of compound individuals in 

 whose structure the most complex, and in every 

 way highest evolution occurs in connection with 

 the highest vegetable function, the perpetuity of 

 the series of finite individuals ; and, the flower 

 once perfected, evolution has ceased, though varia- 

 tion continues. In the animal kingdom, as has 

 been long appreciated, even from the ovum the 

 part devoted to vegetal function has its surface 

 turned inwards, and the complexity of the animal 

 sphere, which is wrapped around the vegetal, takes 

 place in connection with the conscious faculties. 

 By the ministry of sensation and voluntary move- 

 ment the food is introduced into the specially 

 vegetal parts, while in connection with the per- 

 fecting of those animal functions a process takes 

 place such as in the vegetable kingdom is seen 

 only in the flower, namely, that the portions, 

 whether segments or organs, become more definite 

 in number, more fused and compact. Thus, the 

 largest feature in the evolution of both plants and 

 animals consists in that which is simple passing 

 into the manifold, and the manifold being com- 

 pacted together in a higher unity. These evolu- 



