96 THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION 



matter and their mode of action, a fundamental 

 elementary difference. 



A fundamental difference cannot be bridged over 

 by evolution, which by its meaning indicates a need 

 of a starting-point as basis for a perfection to be 

 developed. Therefore spontaneous generation in the 

 usual sense of the term is excluded. The inorganic 

 materials can, taking them absolutely, perhaps form 

 those chemical combinations which appear in the 

 organism ; but they cannot, by themselves (sponte), 

 adopt a direction and a higher purpose, nor pro- 

 duce Dominants and Entelechia, because these stand 

 above them and have nothing to do with material 

 energy. 



We have thus, in the activity of living bodies and 

 in the behaviour of non-organized matter left to itself, 

 learnt to know two kinds of natural phenomena, both 

 of which are alike elementary (primary). Elementary 

 natural processes cannot be deduced from each other : 

 there can be no question of bringing living organisms 

 and unvivified matter into genetic connection by evolu- 

 tion. Everything that we know of the origin of the 

 present-day organisms agrees therefore entirely with 

 this, viz. that the phrase omne vivum ex vivo (and 

 omnis cellula ex cellula) stands unshaken nay, is more 

 firmly established than ever. 



