56 THE MYSTERY OF LIFE. 



but converted primary energy ; in which case 

 morals may be regarded as the outcome of a 

 highly plastic physical basis. 



The organs of the senses receive physical 

 impressions. But how does this fact give any 

 support to the conclusion that these organs are 

 themselves the result of mere physical and 

 chemical changes ? The ear or the eye formed 

 by physics, because one distinguishes the vi- 

 brations of sound and the other those of light ! 

 Now, that such views should be entertained at 

 all is but evidence that he who holds them is 

 not acquainted with the structure of these 

 wonderful organs. It is most unreasonable 

 on the part of any one to allow such an opinion 

 to pass current so long as the steps by which 

 the arrangement of the simplest nerve plexus, 

 which we can demonstrate easily enough 

 (Plate I), was brought about, continue unknown, 

 nay, while the actual mode of arrangement, 

 and termination of the nerves in the simplest 

 terminal nervous organ is admitted to be doubt- 

 ful. But while there is so much yet to be 

 discovered as regards the mere structure of the 

 simplest nervous mechanism, what must we say 

 of those who profess to be able to tell us the 



