24 NATURAL SCIENCE. Jan.. 



(see Bateson), (2) in relation to the occurrence of isolation (see 

 Romanes), and (3) in relation to the intensity of the struggle. 

 (d.) The struggle for existence, in the course of which elimination 

 occurs, is complex, variable, etc., and not to be simply postulated as 

 a force of nature. How vague we are as to what constitutes an 

 ' elimination-determinant ' ; how silent we are as to the moderating 

 factor due to the ' altruism ' of animals ! 



II. Not only does 'the struggle for existence ' appear somewhat 



too strong a phrase to use in describing the pursuit of such luxuries 



as a seventh wife, or that continuous endeavour after well-being which 



secures a few years longer life to the stronger constitution, or the 



intra-germinal combat of Weismann, but there are numerous facts of 



life which seem hardly inclusible within its elastic scope. Among 



these facts, which form the other side of the struggle for existence, are 



attraction between mates, reproductive sacrifice, parental and filial 



affection, the kindliness of kindred, gregariousness and sociality, 



co-operation and mutual aid, and altruism generally. Moreover, 



there are numerous cases, from, to cite extremes, the manifold 



variety of humming-birds to the specialisation of many pelagic 



animals, in regard to whose struggle for existence we can venture 



to say very little. 



12. Observation shows us what we call physical attraction 

 between cells which are at the same time entire organisms. Through 

 some types of simple Metazoa the attraction remains cellular, i.e., 

 between the germ-cells. Gradually there appears a sexual attraction 

 of entire bodies. With the development of a centralised nervous 

 system, it becomes possible to speak of two organisms being aware of 

 one another. The awareness is by and by accompanied by a reflex 

 of emotion, the creatures seem to be fond of each other. Various 

 aesthetic attractions are added to the primary ones, and, on an 

 inclined plane, ' love ' emerges. At the same time, however, there 

 has evolved a parento-filial affection, and it is easy to understand 

 how ' love,' broadened in the family, returns enhanced to the pair. 

 Mixed up with this there is also the evolution of a sense of kinship, 

 which is expressed in mutual aid. 



13. '■'■Gieht mir Materie,'' Kant said, ^^und ich luill damns eiiie Welt 

 schaffen," and it is not difficult to imagine — impossible as it may be to 

 prove — that from a protoplast with its ordinary functions, with its 

 chemotaxis, thermotaxis, cytotropism, and more besides, there may 

 have evolved sexual attraction, a feeling of kinship, and love. But 

 what is difficult to understand is that a cultured science should scoft 

 at those who point to the open secret that sexual attraction, kinship, 

 altruism, and love are factors in life, moderating and transforming 

 the struggle for existence. (See Spencer, Darwin, Fiske, Geddes, 

 "Evolution of Sex," Kropotkine, Drummond, Coe, etc., etc. 



14. Just as Empedocles recognised two ultimate forces — love 

 and hate — so Spencer has insisted on recognising altruism as well as 



