OF LIVING FORMS; OR, MORPHOLOGY. 81 



known that the discoverer himself is one of the 

 worst. Nature, in truth, divides her work, and 

 has recourse to a twofold agency. To one man 

 she assigns the task of originating the new thought ; 

 to another, that of imparting to it a fitting shape, 

 and adapting it to the uses of mankind. So dis- 

 coveries become known and spread. The popu- 

 larizer succeeds to the philosopher, and the know- 

 ledge that would else have been wasted on a few 

 becomes available for all. Sometimes these co- 

 workers only succeed each other at long intervals, 

 and secrets wrung from nature by the toil or genius 

 of one age wait as seeds may wait for ages ere the 

 vivifying warmth and moisture call them into growth 

 for the time and the man who, at a far distant 

 epoch, shall adapt them to the wants and under- 

 standings of the race. Sometimes, by happier 

 chance, the expositor follows quick upon the thinker ; 

 but, quickly or slowly, he must come. The " how " 

 is no less essential than the " what." 



Just so it is in respect to life. Because it is 

 wrought into shapes of exactest harmony, and 

 complex and subtle adaptation, the organic world 



6 



