THE ASCENT OF THE BODY. 65 



aggregation of similar cells, but an organism with 

 different parts and many varied functions. When all 

 is complete we find that one suite of cells has been 

 especially set apart to provide the commissariat, 

 others have devoted themselves exclusively to assimi- 

 lation. The ventilation of the house respiration 

 has been attended to by others, and a central force- 

 pump has been set up, and pipes and ducts for many 

 purposes installed throughout the system. Telegraph 

 wires have next been stretched in every direction to 

 keep up connection between the endless parts ; and 

 other cells developed into bony pillars for support. 

 Finally, the whole delicate structure has been shielded 

 by a variety of protective coverings, and after months 

 and years of further elaboration and adjustment the 

 elaborate fabric is complete. Now all these com- 

 plicated contrivances bones, muscles, nerves, heart, 

 brain, lungs are made out of cells ; they are them- 

 selves, and in their furthest development, simply 

 masses or suites of cells modified in various ways for 

 the special department of household work they are 

 meant to serve. No new thing, except building 

 material, has entered into the embryo since its first 

 appearing. It seized whatever matter lay to hand, 

 incorporated it with its own quickening substance, and 

 built it in to its appropriate place. So the structure 

 rose in size and symmetry, till the whole had climbed, 

 a miracle of unfolding, to the stature of a Man. 



But the beauty of this development is not the sig- 

 nificant thing to the student of Evolution; nor is it 

 the occultness of the process nor the perfection of the 

 result that fill him with awe as he surveys the finished 

 work. It is the immense distance Man has cornet 

 5 



