Heredity, Variation and Genius 21 



that as it may with the invisibly minute, having 

 regard to the multitude of co-ordinate elements 

 and interfusing energies incorporate in a complex 

 organism it is a legitimate conclusion that, besides 

 the fundamental protoplasmic adaptation to the 

 conditions of the environment whereby fluctuating 

 variations are being constantly put forth, there is 

 in the intimately and intricately correlated parts 

 of its complex constitution, thrilled with the 

 organic conatus ficiuii, an intrinsic aptitude to 

 specific changes under certain unknown con- 

 ditions ; a sort of pregnant throe or internal spon- 

 taneity, so to speak, whereby the mutation proper 

 to the type is evolved. Obviously such a complex 

 organism cannot respond to the external stimulus 

 in a simple and direct way like the unicellular 

 body ; it must needs react in circuitous and com- 

 plicated ways, passing the impression made on it 

 through numerous and various intricate mechan- 

 isms of its special structures — each of these more- 

 over embedding in its intimate constitution the 

 organic reminiscences of innumerable adaptive 

 responses through the ages of its special forma- 

 tion — and in the event so specially disturbing the 

 internal equilibrium as to give rise to the ensuing 



its weary cycle until, like a spinning top, it slows down and loses 

 its stability. If a star takes two thousand years to send its ray 

 of light to mortal eyes, it is manifest that the universe is not 

 mightily concerned with what " any mortal mixture of earth's 

 mould " can perceive or think of its doings. 



