324 The Morality of Nature 



the creature, and all its new experiences; capable of re- 

 producing all or any part of the complete form, ready to 

 issue in due time and build a new body like the old, to 

 become its own offspring. These are the germ cells. 



No cell exists except as a bud or division from a previous 

 cell. The cells live, not by a new life, but only by inheritance 

 of a material portion of the old life. If the life stops it 

 stops forever. The cell substance continues to live and 

 grow, because it has the power of assimilation; that is, it 

 can enlarge and enrich itself, by taking food material from 

 a suitable nutritious substance in contact with it, and chang- 

 ing that material to its own composition. In this continued 

 addition arises the power of growth. 



