222 HOLISM AND EVOLUTION chap. 



phenomena can be properly subsumed under the Darwinian 

 factors. Perhaps it is better to recognise that there is 

 something wider and deeper at work in Evolution than the 

 factors as found by Darwin and his successors, something of 

 which those factors are themselves but an expression. 

 The whole is itself an active factor, and its activity as such 

 explains phenomena which it is difficult if not impossible 

 to account for in any other way without very forced inter- 

 pretations. The inner sources of wealth and beauty in 

 Nature are inexhaustible, and they are poured forth with 

 a lavish hand in the creative process of Evolution. Not 

 merely survival values on Darwinian lines count; on the 

 foundation of variations with survival value is raised a 

 superstructure of development which far transcends that 

 narrow basis. Mind in its marvellous human efflorescence 

 rests no doubt on a basis of survival value; but how much 

 more it is than that! The glories of art and literature, the 

 peace of the mystic religious experience, the creative Ideals 

 which lift this life beyond the limitations of its lowly origin 

 — all these experiences and developments have built a new 

 spiritual world on the humble foundations of survival values. 

 In the kingdom of life is visibly arising its capital, the City 

 of God. Apart from the great human development, beauty 

 in Nature tells the same tale. The song of birds, with its 

 primary appeal to sex, but with so infinitely much more in 

 it than the mere sex-appeal; the glorious forms and colouring 

 of birds and beasts and insects, which no doubt rise in and 

 from the struggle for existence, but finally rise above it, 

 and rob it of all its sordidness and drabness; above all, the 

 wonder of plants and flowers, which were meant for the 

 eye of birds and insects, but which contain so infinitely 

 much more than the eye of bird or insect ever beheld or 

 ever can behold — it is everywhere in Nature the same. 

 Everywhere we see the great overplus of the whole. So 

 little is asked; so much more is given. The female only 

 asks for a sign to recognise the male, and to help her to 

 select him and stick to him in preference to others. And 

 for answer she gets an overpowering revelation of beauty 



