206 PROBLEMS OF HUMAN EVOLUTION 



And this failure to attain what should have been attainable draws 

 attention to a distinction to which much importance is to be 

 attached. 



Potential Race-vigour is not the same thing as the vigour of the in- 

 an str ength dividual s who compose the race. Each human being has at birth 

 a certain amount of potential strength which may or may not be 

 actualised. If the conditions are hard, the weak are eliminated 

 and a strong race results, even though meagre nourishment and 

 hardship allow few or no individuals to realise their rich in- 

 heritance. Among the Russian peasantry there is potential 

 strength and to spare. The English race are realising their 

 physiological capital and spending it. By means of good food, 

 warmth, comfort, they are making the most of the existing 

 generation, but at the cost of much race-vigour. This involves 

 a great danger, and as far as I can see there is but one way of 

 meeting it. But the subject is a very difficult one, and I shall 

 put off the discussion of it till a later chapter. 



It is clear from what has been said that superabundant vigour 

 in civilised races is gained by a very different system from that 

 which prevails among wild species. Among the latter there are 

 recurrent crises with intervals of ease, peace, and ample food, 

 during which the individual has a large margin of strength. 

 The same system is, of course, in operation to some extent 

 among civilised men, and mainly among the very poor. But it 

 has been greatly modified, and two new factors have become 

 conspicuous, the invigoration of the wealthy classes by the 

 infusion of fresh blood from below, and the progressive soften- 

 ing of the conditions of life. 



