290 
“ Indefinite 
Incoherent 
Homogene- 
and successive amendments ; and that is not final or complete 
after all, as we shall see. However this is it, solemnly printed 
in italics, as such a fundamental truth deserves : — “ Evolution 
is an integration of matter and concomitant dissipation of 
motion; during which the matter passes from an indefinite , in- 
coherent homogeneity to a definite , coherent heterogeneity ; and 
during which the retained motion undergoes a parallel trans- 
formation 33 This, then, is the true solution of the problem of 
cosmogony ; or rather it would be, but for the troublesome 
circumstance that Evolution practically never is “ simple,” 
but always more or less “ compound ” ; from which circum- 
stance he admits that “ complexity arises.” But, complex or 
not, we must face the reality. It is no use dwelling on an 
imaginary and abstract simplicity such as this, delightful as it 
might be. Unfortunately the chapter on “ Simple and Com- 
pound Evolution ” goes no nearer to a definition of them than 
telling us that, “ when it is integration of matter and dissipa- 
tion of motion only, it remains simple, and when it is something 
more it becomes compound ” (p. 304) ; and it always is some- 
thing more. On the whole, we learn (p. 330) that compound 
Evolution involves both integration and its opposite, going on 
together ; and so that “ final formula,” for practical use in 
cosmogony, has to be modified accordingly: only he never 
does modify it accordingly into any perfect form, beyond its 
“ final 33 one. Therefore we must try to understand a little 
more about “ indefinite incoherent homogeneity.” 
First we find, then, that the primeval homogeneous mass 
or nebula, which it suits Mr. Spencer to start with, must not 
be infinite ; because then the self-existent gravity, which he is 
obliged to introduce (p. 224) instead of his indefinite per- 
sistent force, could never move a single atom, as it would act 
in all directions equally. Therefore the primitive, indefinite, 
homogeneous mass has to be finite; and an infinite one is 
summarily disposed of in his usual way, by being pronounced 
“ unthinkable ”; which word he invents as something stronger 
than “inconceivable” or “impossible.” One would have 
thought infinity of space a good deal more conceivable than 
space bounded by nothing ; nor is it easy to think why the 
primeval homogeneous matter should come to a sudden stop 
at some boundary, on the other side of which is nothing. 
Moreover, a homogeneous anything is necessarily definite in 
substance too, whether we know what the substance is or not. 
Again, though he is pleased to call it incoherent, it was held 
together by gravity, without which, he says, matter is un- 
thinkable, and it is his one actual initial force ; and it is all 
