274 CHAPTERS ON EVOLUTION. 



material " by the learned in biology, and " protoplasm " by the 

 simple-minded amongst us. This material contains all that is 

 required for the formation of the living frame in so far as the material 

 of that frame is concerned. But in protoplasm alone, we do not 

 find all that is demanded for the growth of the new being. We 

 require, likewise, activity of some kind potential or real, chemical, 

 physical, or vital, or all three combined ; and we depend upon this 

 activity for the combination of the elements of our germ and for the 

 power whereby that germ will in time blossom out into full fruition. 

 So is it, in truth, with the application of knowledge, and with the 

 evolution of the wisdom which arranges our knowledge in its due 

 array. The knowledge we gain is, after all, in itself pure material, 

 on which the potential power of philosophy must exert its influence 

 ere the results of seeking and finding wisdom be fully appreciated. 

 The evolution of a natural fact, or set of facts, to take its place in the 

 array of knowledge we name a science, is therefore matter of higher 

 development than that which merely discovers the facts themselves. 

 Only when philosophy has touched the inert mass of detail, does the 

 harmonious and arranged system spring into view with its power of 

 truly adding to man's knowledge of the universe around and overhead. 

 Only when the search for causation has begun, can our intellectual 

 gains be fully appreciated in our labour of 



Untwisting all the chains that tie 

 The hidden soul of harmony. 



Such a topic as presents itself to view in the individuality of 

 animals belongs, it may be with all truth affirmed, to the domain of 

 the philosophy which applies knowledge, rather than to the sphere of 

 mere fact and observation itself. This declaration might sufficiently 

 prejudice the subject in the eyes of readers who might be given to view 

 with suspicion any opinion which apparently lowered fact in the scale 

 of credence. But the philosophy we eulogise, bases its existence on 

 the facts we value. It is the mint-stamp of knowledge, which im- 

 presses fact with its popular and received value ; inasmuch as, with- 

 out such impress, the fact itself, however valuable, fails to relate 

 itself to its neighbour truths. Hence, if, in the present chapter, we 

 may venture somewhat within the domain of transcendentalism, it 

 may readily be shown that from the sober basis of facts all our 

 philosophy in reality takes origin. By way of at once illustrating 

 this latter proposition, as well as of laying the foundation-stone 

 of our present study, we may enter upon a recital of the facts of 

 individuality as represented in the living series around us. 



A superficial acquaintance with the facts of natural history 

 serves to demonstrate the truth of the axiom that every animal 

 originates, directly or indirectly, from that reproductive body we term 



