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THE AMEBIC AN NATURALIST [Vol. LIII 



by the simple transfer of material from one point to an- 

 other along the .straightest possible paths. There is 

 doubtless much random molecular movement which 

 serves only to retard the consummation of the process. 



The more complex the system with which we are deal- 

 ing, the more of these ''fortuitous" steps will intervene 

 hetiveen overthrow and recovery of equilibrium. The 

 chances that an entirely new disturbing factor will di- 

 rectly call forth the means to its own removal ivill corre- 

 spondingly decrease. The more plainly, therefore, ivill 

 the adjustment proceed in an "experimental" fashion.^^ 

 Processes vt^hich favor the restoration of equilibrium {i. 

 e., which satisfy the need) will be accelerated; those 

 which work in a contrary direction will be retarded. 



At this point it may be profitable to cite certain closely 

 related utterances of Jennings 



The condition which results in . . . regulative action is the presence, 



forces having varied tendencies; whenever this condition exists, regii- 



varioiis directions, depending on -the distribution oi' the resistance and 

 amount and intensity of the free energy. It thus produces one effect 



nu'lvly to a denial of tlu' sciciitilic validity of the adapta- 

 tion concept ? I think not. The concept of adaptation 

 stands, upon the same footing as those of life, organiza- 

 tion, function, food, enoni\-, offspring, environment, 

 sliinnhis, iicrcdity and tlio scoi'cs of otlier indubitable 

 f;i('1s with which 1)iol()u\- (h';ils. iiy the us(» of pedantic 

 (•iivuiiilocutioiis. of Ihcs.' \;iriniis .'Npi-cssions could 

 doul)th'>s 1).' avoided, and our idea^ lhn< s.iuaivd with 

 the most rigid demands of "nn'chanist ic'' pliihvsophy. 



