maximum development, or growth, in volume, com- 

 plexity, and stability. In the second phase, growth 

 tends to attain its maximum by increase in numbers, 

 or by division, fragmentation, or dissociation. In the 

 third phase, these subdivisions, or fragments, again 

 grow up, by regeneration, to their respective limita- 

 tions. In the fourth phase, these individualities unite 

 to form cooperative associations, or new growing indi- 

 vidualities of a higher order. And so on indefinitely, 

 into the highest phases of social growth. Although 

 these four phases of growth overlap and interlock in 

 many ways, they necessarily follow one another in the 

 order indicated. 



To give specific examples. Cells, as individuals, 

 have their specific growth phases and limitations, fol- 

 lowed by their fragmentations, regeneration, and asso- 

 ciations. Then follows the development of the bodily 

 product of these associations; their ultimate subdivi- 

 sion, their regeneration, and their association into colo- 

 nies, or social aggregations. On a higher scale, man 

 has his own limited growth phase as an individual; 

 growth by sexual fragmentation, fertilization, and re- 

 generation, and so multiplication in numbers. Then 

 follow the combinations of human individuals to form 

 various social aggregates, followed by their growth, 

 their dissociative divisions or multiplications, and their 

 cooperative unions, etc. 



But if growth proceeded in this way indefinitely, all 

 the available materials essential to organic growth 

 would soon be exhausted, or tied up in the lowest stages 

 of growth. It cannot proceed indefinitely, because 

 each individuality has only a temporary hold on its 

 possessions, and because there is a perpetual exchange 



