Man in the Light of Evolution 



our environment, the latter a very subordinate 

 one, if any. Captain KIdd's treasures He burled 

 beneath my doorstep. As long as I have no 

 suspicion of their existence, they form a part of 

 my surroundings only, not of my environment. 

 I suspect their nearness and begin to search half- 

 heartedly or earnestly. They modify my habits 

 of life somewhat or considerably. They are a 

 part of my environment. Some day I discover 

 them. Overjoyed at my suddenly acquired and 

 unearned wealth, I Indulge In every form of 

 luxury and dissipation. They have changed my 

 whole life, and have become the dominating ele- 

 ment In my environment. The same object at 

 different times varies greatly In Its importance 

 in my environment, according to my own moods 

 and Its nearness or remoteness. We might per- 

 haps say that its effect varies Inversely as the 

 square or some higher power of the distance. 



Girl and boy have lived in the same town. 

 They become acquainted, interested, attached, 

 engaged. What new thing has caused a new 

 heaven and earth to spring up around the newly 

 engaged pair? Only a new relationship; this 

 alone has changed. One new relation has trans- 

 figured their lives. 



170 



