RELATIVE INFERTILITY OF FITTEST 539 



to the marriages of heiresses who are often the sole survivors 

 of a dwindling family. Dr. Ireland points to the significant 

 fact that some of the high castes of India (Brahmins and Rajputs) 

 who are most exclusive in their marriages do not show the usual 

 dwindling tendency, which may be correlated with the circum- 

 stance that they are mostly poor and abstemious. 



3456 



FIG. 47. DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATING THE RELATION BETWEEN REPRODUC- 

 TION AND INDIVIDUATION (from " Evolution of Sex ") 



Let the perpendiculars 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). Similarly, let the perpendiculars 

 from the line C D represent the rate of multiplication of the same 

 forms. The curves joining the apices of the two sets of perpendiculars 

 indicate, by their inverted symmetry, the inverse ratio of individuation 

 and rate of multiplication. 



Is there any consolation in the thought that quality is always 

 safe against quantity, that eagles need never fear the frogs who 

 spawn, that an inheritance may persist socially even when a 

 lineage becomes extinct biologically ? Is there any warrant 

 for supposing that the race can continue producing from new 

 soil crop after crop of highly individuated types, each in its 

 turn destined to die out as a penalty for its own efficiency ? 



