234 THE INDUCTIONS OF BIOLOGY. 



only in individuals that are approaching towards a state of 

 organic equilibrium ; and seeing, on the other hand, as we 

 do, that the sperm-cells and germ-cells thrown off by such 

 individuals, are cells in which developmental changes have 

 ended in quiescence, but in which, after their union, there 

 arises a process of active cell-formation ; we may suspect 

 •that the approach towards a state of a'eneral equilibrium in 

 such gamogenetic indi^dluals, is accomDanied by an approach 

 towards molecular equilibrium in them ; and that the need 

 for this union of sperm-cell and germ-cell, is the need for 

 overthrowing this equilibrium, and re-establishing active mole- 

 cular change in the detached germ — a result which is pro- 

 bably effected by mixing the slightly differ.ent physiological 

 units of slightly different individuals. The several argu- 

 ments that may be brought in support of this viev/, cannot 

 be satisfactorily set forth until after the topics of Heredity 

 and Variation have been dealt with. Leaving it for the pre- 

 sent, I propose hereafter to reconsider this question, in con- 

 nexion with sundry others that are raised by the phenomena 

 of Genesis. 



Before ending the chapter, however, it may be well to note 

 the relations between these different modes of multiplication, 

 and the conditions of existence under which they are respect- 

 ively habitual. While the explanation of the teleologist is 

 untrue, it is often an obverse to the truth ; for though, on the 

 hypothesis of Evolution, it is clear that things are not 

 arranged thus or thus for the securing of special ends, it is 

 also clear, that arrangements which do secure these special 

 ends, tend continually to establish themselves— -are establish- 

 ed by their fulfilment of these ends. Besides insuring a 

 structnral fitness between each kind of organism and its cir- 

 cumstances, the working of '^ natural selection '' also insures 

 a fitness between the mode and rate of multiplication of each 

 kind of organism and its circumstances. We may, therefore, 

 without any teleological implication, consider the fitness of 



