No. 396.] REVIEWS OF RECENT LITERATURE. 97I 
effect in localization, making possible the attainment of a given end. 
Such a process Driesch calls undetermined adaptive action or a phe- 
nomenon of response. 
The author furthermore seeks a functional representation of the 
events which occur when the course of development is disturbed by 
an experiment and in which localization phenomena are, of course, 
implied. That which happens is found to be a function of (1) the 
final condition (toward which normal development proceeds) and of 
the condition of the embryo immediately (2) before and (3) after the 
disturbing act; and, since the third factor is a variable, the process 
as a whole is of a variable nature. A certain “teleology” is implied 
in these events and in all ontogenetic processes in that they are the 
means toward specific ends. Thus the events which follow any dis- 
turbance of development are characterized as being dependent upon 
the final condition. The regulatory phenomena which attend dis- 
turbances of mechanical systems, on the other hand, are of a quite 
different nature, since they are independent of any final condition 
-and depend wholly upon factors that are constant. 
Finally, the action of localization is found to be dependent upon 
the absolute size of the system (G), upon the local relations that 
exist in the complete absolute-normal system (Æ), and on the primary 
orientation in reference to a definite system of coordinates. If the 
last factor is assumed to be known, then xyz (the place) = ¢ [G.4)]. 
This formula is found not to be applicable to inorganic bodies, since 
in them the localization of specific details of structure is determined 
by the direct action of external forces without reference at all to the 
absolute size of the system. 
Enough has been shown of Driesch’s excellent discussion of these 
difficult problems of localization to enable the reader to foresee the 
final conclusion of the author: Since there exists in the processes 
of ontogenetic differentiation this group of phenomena which are not 
subordinate to any known laws of inorganic matter, but which make 
it necessary to assume a special definite elementary action in 
accordance with fixed laws, it may be regarded as proved that 
Vitalism, z.e., that conception which sees in life processes events 
with elementary laws which are peculiar to organic beings, now 
stands upon a firm foundation. 
After a careful study of this important paper the reader will per- 
haps feel the insufficiency of the postulated localizing /zrnkraft in 
itself. Of all that is implied in the “potency” of a “ harmonic equi- 
potential system,” he would know more. A lingering doubt perhaps 
