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CAUSATION AND EVOLUTION.
and phenomena. To illustrate for a more thorough grasp of the point at issue as to how these determining causes and conditions co-operate in bringing about the countless differences and diversities in the processes of the compound evolution let us take the case of a huge tree developing from its own séed.
We have already stated that every thing in the universe is surcharged with infinite powers of developing itself after its own type So also is the case with the seed. The seed of a particular tree is also instinct with infinite powers of developing itself so much so that the huge form of the tree together with its bark, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers and fruits in the course of time, lie hidden in a potential state of existence in the seed. The protoplasm which ultimately developes into the seed being the substantial cause, it changes and transforms itself into the seed and ultimately into the tree by the help of such causes, and conditions as time, nature and the like-which determine its manner and growth of development. On close examination of the seed we
249
Ilustration of
the principle
of causation
in question.
