Volume 1

The principles of biology / by Herbert Spencer.

Date:
1865-1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principles of biology / by Herbert Spencer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    the argument, it was remarked that the ensemble of vital phenomena presented by the organic world as a whole, can- not be properly dealt with apart from the ensemble of vital phenomena presented by each organism, in the course of its growth, development, and decay. The interpretation of either implies interpretation of the other ; since the two are in reality parts of one process. Hence, the validity of any hypothesis respecting the one class of phenomena, may be tested by its congruity with phenomena of the other class. We are now about to pass to the more special phenomena of development, as displayed in the structures and functions of individual organisms. If the hypothesis that plants and animals have been progressively evolved, be true, it must furnish us with keys to these phenomena. We shall find that it does this; and by doing it, gives numberless additional vouchers for its truth. END OF VOL. 1. 1