FUNCTION. 167 



varies inversely as the established specialization of function ; 

 and that it disappears when the specialization of function 

 becomes great. 



§ 61. Something approaching to a priori reasons may be 

 given for the conclusions thus reached a posteriori. Tliey 

 must be accepted for as much as they seem worth. 



It may be argued that on the hypothesis of Evolution, 

 Life necessarily comes before organization. On this hypo- 

 thesis, organic matter in a state of homogeneous aggregation, 

 must precede organic matter in a state of heterogeneous ag- 

 gregation. But since the passing from a structureless state 

 to a structured state, is itself a vital process, it follows that 

 vital activity must have existed while there was yet no 

 structure : structure could not else arise. That 



function takes precedence of structure, seems also implied in 

 the definition of Life. If Life consists of inner actions so 

 adjusted as to balance outer actions — if the actions are the 

 substance of Life, while the adjustment of them constitutes 

 its fortn ; then, may we not say that the actions to be formed 

 must come before that which forms them — that the continu- 

 ous change which is the basis of function, must come before 

 the structure which brings function into shape ? Or 



again, since throughout all phases of Life up to the highest, 

 every advance is tlie effecting of some better adjustment of 

 inner to outer actions; and since the accompanying new com- 

 plexity of structure is simply a means of making possible 

 this better adjustment ; it follows that function is from 

 beginning to end the determining cause of structure. Not 

 only is this manifestly true where the modification of struc- 

 ture arises by reaction from modification of function ; but it 

 is also true where a modification of structure otherwise pro- 

 duced, apparently initiates a modification of function. For 

 it is only when such so-called spontaneous modification of 

 structure subserves some advantageous action, that it is per- 



