ADAPTATION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL 89 



doubt as to the choice. The truth is far better ex- 

 pressed by the word design than by the chaos which 

 is the alternative idea in the average mind. In these 

 later years we have come to use a different word. We 

 now conjure in such connection with the word adapta- 

 tion. In every animal and every plant the trained 

 eye sees unending examples of adaptation; that is, 

 of a fittedness to the work it has to do. The modern 

 scientist feels sure not only that the animal is fitted to 

 his work, but that he has been so fitted by the work; 

 that the very use he makes of his organs has deter- 

 mined their structure. This work has decided that 

 the structure which he has is the structure that shall 

 survive and shall produce other structures like itself. 

 Adaptation therefore does not simply express the idea 

 that the animal is adjusted to its surroundings, but 

 it further suggests that the animal by gradual process 

 has become thus adjusted. The word adaptation ap- 

 plies not simply to the result, but also to the process. 

 The scientist does not consider the finimal a final and 

 complete result. He thinks it still in a state of flux, 

 and so long as its line lasts it will be in a state of flux. 

 Change is about it on every side, and it must adapt 

 itself to this change or it will pass away. It may ad- 

 just itself, as has been previously stated, by moving to 

 another environment in which it feels more at home, 

 but unless it does this, if there come much change in 



