THE GROWTH OF GROUPS 177 



satisfied than one, if the field of their choice is limited to 

 a finite number of variable things ; it follows from this 

 that as the number of selectors grows larger and larger 

 it becomes less and less likely that all should be satisfied. 

 But according to the selection theory, an infinite number 

 of natural selectors, new conditions of life, are lying in 

 readiness to descend upon the race one or more at a time, 

 and each one of this infinite number must find its require- 

 ment among the varying race, otherwise extinction will 

 occur. It seems impossible for an infinite number of 

 selectors to find their requirements among a finite number 

 of variable things, hence it seems impossible for living 

 things to obtain their attributes from their circumstances 

 by means of Natural Selection. 



There is a fallacy in the above argument; but if 

 we expose the fallacy we strengthen the argument. 

 The pieces of clay are not things varying in all 

 directions, but in certain directions, determined by the 

 fact that they were hand made. A piece bearing a 

 depression large enough for it to be useful as a cup and 

 another sufficiently spherical for use as a projectile were 

 likely to be formed by the chance movements of fingers. 

 Hence the two selectors were satisfied mainly because 

 their choice lay among things that were not varying in 

 every direction, strictly speaking. Conversely, if their 

 search had been among things varying in every direction, 

 assuming such chaos to be possible, it was even less likely 

 to have been successful. 



The essence of the selection theory is found in the 

 following words : "If the race has been long under the 

 same environment it is probable that only periodic 

 selection is at work, maintaining its stability. Change the 



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