XI.] SPECIFIC GENESIS. 



253 



peculiar consonlancous actions of conditions and forces, both 

 external and internal. 



The remnrkable series of changes noted by Dr. Bastian 

 were certainly not produced by external incident forces 07\bj, 

 but by these 'acting on a peculiar materia^ having special 

 properti(;s and powers. Therefore, the changes were in- 

 duced by the consentaneous action of internal and external 

 forces.** In the same uay, then, we may expect changes in 

 higher forms to be evolved by similar united action of inter- 

 nal and external forces. 



One other point may here be alluded to. When the re- 

 markable way in which structure and function simultaneously 

 change, is borne in mind ; when those numerous instances 

 in wliich Nature has supplied similar wants by similar means, 

 as detailed in Cliapter III., are remembered ; when also all 

 the wonderful contrivances of orchids, of mimicry, and the 

 strange complexity of certain instinctive actions are consid- 

 ered — then the conviction forces itself on many minds that 

 the organic world is the expression of an intelligence of 

 some kind. This view has been well advocated by Mr. 

 Joseph John Murphy, in his recent work so often here re- 

 ferred to. 



This intelligence, however, is evidently not altogether 

 such as ours, or else has other ends in view than those most 

 obvious to us. For the end is often attained in singularly 

 roundabout ways, or with a prodigality of means which 

 seems out of all proportion with the result : not with the 

 simple action directed to one end which generally marks 

 human activity. 



Organic Nature then speaks clearly to man}'^ minds of the 

 action of an intelligence resulting, on the whole and in the 

 main, in order, harmony, and beauty, yet of an intelligence 

 the ways of which are not such as ours. 



'* Thonpli hardly necessary, it may bo well to remark that the views 

 here advocated in no way depend upon the truth of the doctrine of Spon- 

 taneous (icncration. 



