The Metaphysics of a Naturalist 
63 
forces equilibrated in a vastly complicated aggregate of inter- 
dependent series. As in other cases of equilibrated forces there 
is a nucleus of energy which may be regarded as the real being 
of the individual. This nucleus grows out of the fact that forces 
in equilibrium are constantly changing and each change involves 
a passage through a state of removed resistance when spontaneity 
or pure elasticity emerges. So far as the energy is in harmonious 
phases we have a unitary development; so far as these conflict 
resistance occurs and force is evolved which adds to and modifies 
the equilibrium of the whole. The constant tendency is thus 
towards perfect adjustment of the energy, and this is accom- 
panied by a constant change in the force-complex. 
Every new influence (environmental) affects first the equilib- 
rium of the adjacent force aggregates {i. e., those of similar 
sort), but the change must then affect the equilibrium of the whole. 
The form which this change may take depends largely on the 
form of the existing equilibrium, so that no reaction of the envi- 
ronment can fail to cause a readjustment of the whole. When an 
organism, for example, passes from a warm to a cold climate it 
is not merely the integument which is altered but the whole 
organization is readjusted. This corresponds with what Roux 
means by a struggle of the parts. From the point of view 
of dynamic monism such a struggle is inevitable ; the balance of the 
organism is so delicate that no touch anywhere can fail to modify 
the whole. Now the germ so long as it still forms a part of the 
organism and participates with it in nourishment, etc., is more 
or less implicated in the readjustment. If we conceive the equi- 
librium of the organism in the form of vortex-motion, for example, 
it can be understood that when symmetrical partition of the 
figure of motion occurs for any reason, the two resulting vortices 
will be like vortices in opposite modes. The fusion of two such 
vortices would reestablish the original motion. Minor differ- 
ences could be overcome and would result in variation in the rate 
or figure of motion. In the simple case of organic multiplication 
and conjugation of entire animals this is what actually takes 
place. When the differences have become too great, fusion 
is impossible. 
Now in higher animals the vortices are multiplex and yet the 
elements are similar and interdependent. Finally the complexity 
is increased and only certain vortices retain the typical form and 
