268 



THE EVOLUTION OF SEX. 



disputed. Thus the full inductive verification of Spencer's law- 

 involves a detailed comparison of the rates of reproduction of each 

 group of organic species, with their observed degree of individuation 

 (first in each of its factors, and finally in their sum), deviations from 

 the inverted symmetry of the theoretic curves (see fig. below) 

 having to be separately discussed. Natural selection also requires a 

 yet deeper analysis; the limits and possibilities of artificial selection 

 are but little known, while a theory of variation is still far from agreed 

 upon. If, however, we bear in mind that the amount of evolution in 

 given time is but small, our knowledge seems not insufficient for the- 



practical deductions which are so pressingly 

 demanded; yet it is here that the most serious 

 disagreement has prevailed. Thus the Mal- 

 thusian position is obviously inadequate, in 

 not allowing for the Darwinian one: yet the 

 converse also is undeniable, for the position of 

 laissez-faire, upon which Darwin and Spencer 

 alike take their stand, not only almost ignores 

 the wellbeing of the individual in considering 

 the advancement of the species, but is even 

 then too optimistic, since it not only fails to 

 accelerate the progressive evolution which is 

 alone considered, but also fails to provide 

 against the equal possibility of degenerative 

 change. Are we then simply to return to the 

 somewhat crude proposals and excessive hopes 

 for the increase of individual wellbeing due to 

 Malthus or his followers, — based, too, as these 

 have been on imperfect pre-Spencerian knowl- 

 edge. 



The answer is not far to seek, — it lies in the 

 generalization above established ; yet it is 

 remarkable that Mr. Spencer, after not only 

 establishing the inverse variation of individua- 

 tion and genesis among species in general, but even showing for the 

 human species in particular that it is essentially upon increase of the 

 psychical activities that the increased individuation and diminished 

 genesis ot the future must depend, should not have proceeded to a 

 fuller application. For unless the main generalization be abandoned, 

 it is obvious that the progress of the species and of the individual 

 alike is secured and accelerated whenever action is transferred from the 

 negative side of merely seeking directly to repress genesis, to the posi- 

 tive yet indirect side of proportionally increasing individuation. This 



Fig. ioi. — Let the perpendicu- 

 lars above the line A B denote 

 the increasing degree of total 

 individuation of a series of 

 forms i, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6 (say 

 Worm, Fish, Frog, Bird, Man, 

 Elephant), and similarly let 

 the perpendiculars to C D rep- 

 resent the rate of multiplica- 

 tion of the same forms; the 

 curves joining these two series 

 of points respectively illustrate 

 by their inverted symmetry 

 the inverse ratio of individu- 

 ation and genesis. 



