THE SPECIES 259 



individual foremost, and to demonstrate its interest in the 

 formation of species and community. Actually, there can 

 be neither species nor community without the individual ; 

 on the other hand, it is possible to conceive of individuals 

 without species or community. 



Beginning with the unicellulars, we must admit the 

 possibility of there being among them individuals entirely 

 lacking the function-circle of sex, reproducing themselves by 

 fission only, and in this way perpetually starting afresh and 

 multiplying. Of such individuals we might admit that they 

 were, in a sense, immortal ; but their immutability, though 

 certainly to the benefit of the individual, is obviously not in 

 the interests of life. Consequently, each one of them is 

 furnished with a special inter-adjustment urging it to con- 

 jugation and the creation of new and modified individuals, / 

 which take its place. Through the introduction of the sexual 

 function-circle, the individual organism becomes a member of 

 the species. 



When individuals are merged in the species, their im- 

 mortality and immutability are sacrificed in the interests 

 of life, and this shows that the two interests are not identical. 

 Moreover, each organism is obliged to take on a new function- '' 

 circle, which it can perfectly well get on without. The sexual 

 circle requires special effector apparatus and a special steer- 

 ing bearing on special indications. This imposes an extremely 

 heavy burden on the framework of the individual, and means 

 a great increase in the dangers it has to run, for at the breeding- 

 time the other function-circles are forced into the background. 

 And thus, in the interests of the preservation of the species, v 

 that of the preservation of the individual is thrust into a 

 second place. 



The stamp set on the individual by the community- 

 impetus is different. No new function-circle is required ; 

 on the other hand, the individual's function-circles are 



