Now, that real, true, living individuals exist in nature, is a truth which is persistently attested to us by our consciousness.

But how, then, can we explain that a great quantity of dissimilar elements, like the atoms of matter, can unite to form those perfect unities which we call individuals, if we do not suppose the existence of a specific principle, proper to the individual but foreign to the component atoms, which aggregates these said atoms, groups them into molecules, and then moulds the molecules into cells, the cells into tissues, the tissues into organs, and the organs into apparatus ?" "But, it may be urged in opposition by the Pangenesists, your vital principle is an unknown and irresolute _x_.

This is true; but, on the other hand, let us see whether Pangenesis produces a clearer formula, and one free from unknown elements.

The existence of the gemmules is a first unknown element; the propagative affinity of the gemmules is a second; their germinative affinity is a third; their multiplication by fission is a fourth--and what an unknown element!" "Thus, in Pangenesis, everything proceeds by force of unknown elements, and we may ask whether it is more logical to prefer a system which assumes a multitude of unknown elements to a system which assumes only a single one ?" Mr.Darwin appears, by "Natural Selection," to destroy the reality of species, and by Pangenesis that of the individual.

Mr.Lewes observes[227] of the individual that "This whole is only a subjective conception which summarizes the parts, and that in point of fact it is the parts which {217} are reproduced." But the parts are also, from the same point of view, merely subjective until we come to the absolute organic atoms.