BIONOMICS 257 



pathological order, and are not calculated to make for the 

 attainment of a higher plane of existence, i.e., for progress. 



As soon as he begins to trace ' ' upwards from the 

 amphibia " the widening extent and complexity of the web of 

 life, Spencer obviously inclines towards a bio-economic 

 criterion of status. He observes " how increasing heterogenity 

 in the flora and fauna of the globe, itself progressively com- 

 plicates the environment of each species of organism." 

 (Italics mine.) Nay, he thinks and there he clearly again 

 adumbrates the view that Bio-Economics and Political 

 Economy are closely related that " it might finally be shown 

 that the same general truth is displayed in the history of man- 

 kind," who have constantly improved their physical and social 

 environment and advanced their civilisation by symbiotic 

 activities and division of labour. 



F. GROWTH. 



In Chapter II. I have already dealt with some of Spencer's 

 conclusions as regards Growth. How completely he missed the 

 Bio-Economics involved in nutrition may be gauged from the 

 following passage: 



Around a plant there exist certain elements that are like the elements 

 which form its substance; and its increase of size is effected by con- 

 tinually integrating these surrounding like elements with itself. Nor 

 does the animal fundamentally differ in this respect from the plant or 

 the crystal. Its food is a portion of the environing matter, that contains 

 some compound atoms like some of the compound atoms constituting 

 its tissues; and either through simple inhibition or through digestion, 

 the animal eventually integrates with itself units like those of which it 

 is built up, and leaves behind the unlike units. 



As regards the ultimate constituents or elements required 

 as food, this is true, but we need to look a good deal further and 

 then we see that the combinations of the required elements 

 available require work on the part of the organism before the 

 essential elements are ready for use. Thus, for instance, the 

 significance of photosynthesis is entirely omitted. The green 

 plant has the power of building up living substance from 

 inorganic material, but the animal cannot, and there is 



