REVERSION, NOT A LAW, SUI GENERIS. 107 



a positive, definite, scientific factor ; founded upon well " 

 established physiological principles, not upon chance, 

 as it has heretofore been, nor upon a "tendency," nor 

 upon any metaphysical entity, or other makeshift of 

 ignorance, nor upon any obscure, fatalistic hypothesis. 

 The advocates of Progress need not abate any of their 

 enthusiasm, for their cherished watchword ; for, in 

 each species, and notably in Man, there still remains a 

 wide margin for improvement. 



There are, also, four other laws, — three of which are 

 most familiarly known to the vulgar, as well as to the 

 learned, — with which, the identity of Reversion is 

 possible to be fully established, (i). One is the capac- 

 ity of redintegration, following the disintegration of 

 the tissues. (2). Another is the power of reparation 

 which is manifested, either by what is termed, healing 

 by first intention, or healing with inflammation, upon 

 the occurrence of any wound or abrasion. (3). Another 

 law, with which Reversion is identical, is the power of 

 immediate reproduction of a lost member; a power 

 which is displayed, to the fullest extent, by the lower 

 orders of animals, and, measurably, by even the high- 

 est. (4.) The fourth and last law, is Generation, both 

 sexual and asexual. 



Of the first, — viz., the repair which is continually 

 making good the waste of the tissue in the organic 

 system, — no evidence is needed, as it is well known 

 by physiologists ; and, even the unlearned, in science, 

 attest their knowledge of it, in the current conception, 

 that the body undergoes a complete change, every 

 seven years. 



