37$ The Evolution of Beauty. [July, 
From a solar system to an acorn is a long leap also, yet 
it is probable that this, too, is only a result of the same 
law, only a still further development of the complexity of 
wave-motion. An organic unit seems to be the latest out- 
come of compounded force — the most complex form of wave 
yet attained to, in at least this corner of the Universe. 
If we examine the structure of a complex wave we find 
that it consists of an organised body of waves, arranged 
after the manner of a disciplined army. There is first a 
single inclusive impulse, of the highest intensity and widest 
scope, holding in its grasp the total body of subsidiary 
waves, and representing the General in command. Then 
there are a few large, well-marked, secondary impulses, like 
separate brigades, working towards special goals, but with 
a common end in view. Each of these secondary waves is 
made up of a number of tertiary waves, which may stand 
for regiments, and within each regiment are again compa- 
nies, squads, and finally individuals, the number of compo- 
nent waves increasing with each step downwards. But this 
organised arrangement of a crowd of units is not the only 
kind of complexity to be considered. Besides having its 
definite place in the system, each subsidiary wave has also 
its own normal period of life, and its own velocity, which 
varies not only in its totality, but in its two phases, viz., the 
ascending phase, in which it approaches towards its climax, 
and the descending phase, in which it recedes from it. 
These phases may either be equal or only equivalent, one 
being long and slow, while the other is short and rapid, the 
varieties of proportion in the latter case being unlimited. 
Note what takes place in the growth of an acorn. While 
it lies brown and dry upon the earth, apparently lifeless and 
motionless, atomic and molecular motions are unceasingly 
at work among its tissues. This is proved by the fadl that 
if left dry too long the living forces will be dissipated, the 
germ will perish and decay. But the presence of moisture 
and the communicated energy of external heat give rise to 
a re-composition of forces without dissipation. A wave of 
high intensity and rapidly increasing complexity is origin- 
ated. Surrounding waves of force are absorbed into its 
vortex, and material molecules are built up in the track of 
the advancing wave, and of each unit in all its army of 
subsidiary waves. The normal form of the great inclusive 
impulse is such as to build up that material structure which 
we call an oak tree, and nothing else. The wave origin- 
ated from a germinating acorn is always of that form, and 
no other. Its subsidiary waves, although unable to escape 
