320 SYMBWGENESIS 



shows that in both kingdoms the identical (hereditary) 

 diathesis frequently obtains and is apt to convey morbid 

 infection to a whole round of biological relations. Thus 

 allantoin, a body analogous to urea, which is known as an 

 important waste product of the vertebrate embryo, is also found 

 in quantity in the opening buds in spring; and pepsin can be 

 obtained not only from the stomach, but also from the digestive 

 secretion of the insectivorous plants. 



We have seen that useful vitamines may be converted into 

 poisonous alkaloids, and that the plant proceeds in its patho- 

 genetic alchemy in proportion as it is subjected to depredation, 

 instead of obtaining reciprocity for its inestimable services. 

 In short, we found the Bio-Chemistry of both plant and animal 

 to be determined by reciprocal bio-economic factors ; the 

 adequacy and legitimacy of food also depending on the 

 identical symbiotic factors. 



To eat pork, hare, and shell fish is certainly not in 

 accordance w r ith the grand symbiotic division of labour which 

 has established itself as the normal rule of life, demanding 

 cross-feeding in the best interests of this symbiosis. Such 

 habits are, on the contrary, opposed to the normal order, and 

 result in an inferior physiological currency establishing itself 

 at the expense of a nobler currency. This cannot lead to 

 symbiogenesis, but must lead to pathogenesis. At any 

 moment during this process, according to varying degrees of 

 resistance, the dominance of the poison (every surfeit of 

 inadequate substances must eventually turn into poison) may 

 assert itself and cause violent reactions. In other cases patho- 

 genetic compromises may proceed for considerable time before 

 the organisms meet with other forms of fatal biological 

 antagonism. 



Curiously the Old Testament, which forbids the eating 

 of blood and of animal fat, also specially condemns the eating 

 of the hare, swine, mussels and other shell fish as unclean 

 animals. "Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters 

 that shall be an abomination unto you." 



