DOMAIN OF EVOLUTIONARY HYPOTHESIS 89 



From the above it is understood, when it is said of 

 the organisms, that they constitute a purpose in them- 

 selves. Observation indeed shows us that they attain 

 no other object than self-preservation or increase in 

 number by the reproduction of like beings. We see the 

 same if we more closely observe their behaviour towards 

 inorganic material and the universally effective powers 

 of Nature. The organisms, it is true, are thoroughly 

 dependent for their existence on the chemico-physical 

 powers and the inorganic materials, but their relation 

 to these is so regulated that they utilize and profit by 

 such influences and effects as are consistent with their 

 own maintenance. 1 Furthermore the living bodies 

 cannot effect any material work at all independently 

 of the material and the peculiar powers which accrue 

 to it also from outside ; but the chemical materials, for 

 example, are so arranged, and in their activity so ruled, 

 that they only act in such a manner and at such a time, 

 how and when, as is necessary to the organism for its 

 purposes. 



From this generally conceded dependence upon the 

 use of material energies it might be concluded that the 

 organism, after utilizing same, must come to a stand- 

 still ; but that is not so. The living body obstinately 

 maintains itself in its active condition, since it rejects 

 the exhausted material and seeks and assimilates a 

 new supply. With the fresh material it forms highly 



1 Naturally, however, we will not deny that all organisms can bo 

 destroyed ; they are not absolute existences. The purposeful ' utilization ' 

 of the inorganic materials and powers is evident in the normal life that 

 suffices perfectly. 



