Picture - Cosmic Polymath

224 DESIGN IN NATURE
between the ruins of the worlds that have been and the chaotic materials of the worlds that shall be ; and, in spite
of all waste and destruction, Cosmos is extending his borders at the expense of Chaos."
The following is Mr. Herbert Spencer's view of this very interesting and difficult subject : " Throughout the
universe in generll, and in detail, there is an unceasing redistribution of matter and motion. This redistribution
constitutes evolution when there is a predominant integration of matter and dissipation of motion, and constitutes
dissolution when there is a predominant absorption of motion and disintegration of matter. Evolution is simple
when the process of integration, or the formation of a coherent aggregate, proceeds uncomplicated by other processes.
Evolution is compound when, along with this primary change from an incoherent to a coherent state, there go on
secondary changes due to differences in the circumstances of the different parts of the aggregate.
"
These secondary changes constitute a transformation of the homogeneous into the heterogeneous-a transformation
which Uke the first, is exhibited in the universe as a whole, and in all (or nearly all) its details m the aggre-
;
each organism, vegetal
gate of stars and nebulae ; in the planetary system ; in the earth as an inorganic mass m ;
or animal ; in the aggregate of organisms throughout geologic time in the mmd ; ; in society ;
social activity. .
in all products of
, , r vrv ,• ,
" The process of integration, acting locally as well as generally, combines with the process of differentiation
to render this change not simply from homogeneity to heterogeneity, but from an indefinite homogeneity to a defimte
heterogeneity ; and this trait of increasing definiteness, which accompanies the trait of increasing heterogeneity,
is, hke it, exhibited in the totaUty of things, and in all its divisions and subdivisions down to the minutest.
" Along with this redistribution of the matter composing any evolving aggregate there goes on a redistribution
of the retained motion of its components in relation to one another ; this also becomes, step by step, more definitely
heterogeneous. . . . This rhythm of evolution and dissolution, completing itself during short periods in small aggregates,
"and in the vast aggregates distributed through space completing itself in periods immeasurable by human
thought, is, so far as we can see, universal and eternal. . . . All these phenomena, from their great features down to
their minutest details, are necessary results of the persistence of force under its forms of matter and motion. Given
these as distributed through space, and their quantities being unchangeable, either by increase or decrease, there
inevitably result the continuous redistributions distinguishable as evolution and dissolution, as well as all these
special traits above enumerated. That which persists unchanging in quantity, but ever changing in form, under
these sensible appearances which the universe presents to us, transcends human knowledge and conception—is
an unknown and unknowable power, which we are obhged to recognise as without hmit in space and without
beginning or end in time."
It will be observed that, in Immanuel Kant's and Herbert Spencer's systems of the universe, matter and a
power of attraction and condensation and of repulsion and disintegration are taken for granted ; this power con-
verting homogeneous masses into heterogeneous masses at one period, and heterogeneous masses into homogeneous
masses at another period. The homogeneity and heterogeneity are applied to the inorganic and organic kingdoms
alike. Heterogeneity is held to be another term for differentiation, and differentiation apphes to the structure
of the universe as a whole, and to plants and animals as integral parts of it. Two things are to be considered in
this connection. First, can mere attraction and condensation convert strictly homogeneous substances into hete-
rogeneous ones ; and second, can mere physical heterogeneity, unaided, produce differentiation and division of
labour in plants and animals ? This is a subject of the greatest possible importance, for on it hinges the existence
or non-existence of a large number of elements in the inorganic kingdom, and a large number of different substances
in the organic kingdom, not only in the embryonic but also in the young and adult states. One can readily conceive
a highly heated molten mass where the elements of the universe are blended, and apparently form a homogeneous
whole. Similarly in reproduction the germ, seed, and egg may consist of apparently homogeneous and
identical matter, but (and the bid has great significance in the present case) are the elements annihilated by mere
superheating, or can elements, if they do not exist in the molten mass, be obtained from it by mere aggregation, con-
densation, and cooling ? In like manner, are the potentialities and dormant powers of the germ, seed, and egg
destroyed by being reduced to a molecular mass, or can the various tissues, soft, hard, and otherwise, of the body
be developed from the germ, seed, and egg as apart from latent or actual heterogeneity therein ? I do not think
they can. I am disposed to believe that much confusion has been introduced into the consideration of the inorganic
and organic kingdoms by the lax use of the terms homogeneity, heterogeneity, and differentiation. If a thing
be absolutely homogeneous and identical in all its parts and particles it cannot, strictly speaking, be converted by
any physical process into a heterogeneous substance. Neither can a heterogeneous substance be converted into a
simple homogeneous one. They are the opposites of each other. Mere heterogeneity, on the other hand, does
not result in differentiation from the botanical and zoological points of view. To differentiate in biology is to
produce different substances, structures, and organs discharging dissimilar functions. This involves life, a First