102 Heredity, Variation and Genius 



and to whose welfare it is subordinate. So it is 

 modified in form and made altruistic in function. 



Now once an organ is formed and in full func- 

 tion by multiplication and modification of cells, 

 it may, I think, justly be argued that there is a 

 special rhythm or tone — an animal spirit, so to 

 speak fancifully in old fashion — emanating from 

 the composition and interworkings of its con- 

 stituents which is communicated to the organic 

 whole. Not otherwise than as in the higher 

 domain of mental organization there emanates 

 from the combination of a definite group of asso- 

 ciated ideas and interests a special answering 

 tone of feeling, its fitting emotional rhythm or 

 exhalation : a purely organic result which the 

 metaphysician apparently finds it impossible to 

 comprehend or conceive. Good or bad naturally 

 in such case : on the one hand, the admirable 

 corporate spirit of the soldier who is ready to lay 

 down his life in the service of his country ; on 

 the other hand, the mean corporate spirit of the 

 particular trade which, greedy only of its own 

 gains, sanctions a special system of elaborate 

 fraud as a legitimate custom and accepts it gladly. 



Having risen into clear consciousness in the 

 mind of man, the fundamental organic process has 

 acquired a dignity which ignores, even resents, 

 the memory of its lowly origin. The sanguine 

 mind may perhaps, without undue optimism, 

 look forward to a clear and distinct under- 

 standing some day that all which goes on con- 



