We now proceed to an analysis of what may properly be called the *means*
of morphogenesis, the word “means” being preferable to the more usual
one “conditions” in this connection, as the latter would not cover the
whole field. It is in quite an unpretentious and merely descriptive
sense that the expression “means” should be understood at present; what
is usually called “conditions” is part of the morphogenetic means in our
sense.
β′. *The Internal Elementary Means of Morphogenesis*
We know that all morphogenesis, typical or atypical, primary or
secondary, goes on by one morphogenetic elementary process following the
other. Now the very foundation of these elementary processes themselves
lies in the elementary functions of the organism as far as they result
in the formation of stable visible products. Therefore the elementary
functions of the organism may properly be called the internal “means” of
morphogenesis.
Secretion and migration are among such functions; the former happening
by the aid of chemical change or by physical separation, the latter by
the aid of changes in surface tension. But hardly anything more concrete
has been made out about these or similar points at present.
We therefore make no claim to offer a complete system of the internal
elementary means of morphogenesis. We shall only select from the whole
a few topics of remarkable morphogenetic interest, and say a few words
about each.
But, first of all, let us observe that the elementary means of
morphogenesis are far from being morphogenesis themselves. The word
“means” itself implies as much. It would be possible to understand each
of these single acts in morphogenesis as well as anything, and yet to be
as far from understanding the whole as ever. All means of morphogenesis
are only to be considered as the most general frame of events within
which morphogenesis occurs.
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