Distribution of Heredity 347 



to be so actuated. But even in the early forms it is still ob- 

 scure. Cells divide, as they grow in size with suitable nutri- 

 tion and conditions, and each half cell obviously remains 

 divided, and becomes independent, because of a continua- 

 tion of the causes which made it separate. Whether because 

 of a mechanical rupture by its bulk surpassing its cohesive 

 machinery, or because of polarity of a chemical generation 

 of repelling forces in its particles, for some reason it divides, 

 and in making thousands of divisions, it becomes part of 

 its nature to divide by habit. It is apparent that the habit 

 of dividing as a consequence of unwieldy growth, might 

 arise in masses of protoplasm; even before the organized 

 cells existed ; and the separation might be maintained so long 

 as the substances were alike; and might cease when differ- 

 ence arose, and attraction ensued. Then masses or cells 

 would coalesce and blend, becoming one mass or cell by 

 complete fusion ; the impulse to combine being in that certain 

 kind of unlikeness which induces a chemical affinity, or a 

 polarity. This fusion is perceived to be not a combination 

 in which one destroys or consumes the other. There are of 

 course such consuming absorptions, in which one cell digests 

 another; but we consider now a mutual act in which all 

 possessed is added; the bulk and the abilities, and especially 

 the heredity, with constructive accumulation, by affinity, and 

 not by destructive appropriation. 



This simple conjugation is observed and known as a fact; 

 and it is a very important fact. Its simplicity has attracted 

 attention less than the more elaborate union of sexual na- 

 ture ; yet it is probably the precedent to sexual union. There 

 is in all higher cellular life, a curious prevalence of even 



