156 THE GROWTH OF GROUPS 



attribute has an individuality in the constitution of the 

 organism. It is idle to discuss whether this generalized 

 statement is true or not, as idle as it would be to discuss 

 whether atoms are substantial things. Truth appears 

 to be a word to express consensus of opinion, hence we 

 must admit that the conception of character-unit is not 

 as yet true. But, disregarding the truth of the concep- 

 tion, let us consider its value. Does it give any result ? 

 As an outcome of the atomic theory, man prepared new 

 substances for the first time ; these are results. (The 

 question of the utility of the new substances does not 

 come into the argument.) Who, knowing the facts, 

 will deny that the conception of character-units has 

 already given results in agriculture ? Just as the con- 

 ceptual atom has been applied in our dealings with what 

 we call matter, so may the character-unit be applied in 

 dealing with living things, with result. 



We do not know yet if the theory is true, but we can 

 know if it is effectual. From this point of view result 

 is the test of truth. This view was upheld by Herbert 

 Spencer in the following words : " The fundamental 

 intuitions that are essential to the process of thinking, 

 must be temporarily accepted as unquestionable : leaving 

 the assumption of their unquestionableness to be justified 

 by the result." It appears that the term character-unit 

 embraces a conception already justified by results. 



The peculiarities of Nestor and Lucilia may be called 

 new instincts or untaught modes of action appearing 

 suddenly. A good example of the sudden appearance 

 of such an instinct which behaves as a character-unit 

 was described by Tower. The facts are as follows : 

 Potato beetles have very constant breeding habits. There 



