io8 SYMBIOSIS 



But the resources of Nature are equal to such tasks. 

 Butler was not one, however, long to remain felix errore suo. 

 With the aid of fresh inspirations, he makes further suggestions 

 approaching the symbio-psychic view and visualising the quasi- 

 genetic value of food. 



This is what he says : 



The line, again, might certainly be taken that the difference in struc- 

 ture and instincts between neuter and fertile bees is due to the specific 

 effects of certain food and treatment ; yet, though one would be sorry to 

 set limits to the convertibility of food and genius, it seems hard to believe 

 that there can be any untutored food which should teach a bee to make 

 a hexagonal cell as soon as it was born, or which, before it was born, should 

 teach it to prepare such structures as it would require in after life. If, 

 then, food be considered as a direct agent in causing the structure and 

 instinct, and not an indirect agent, merely indicating to the larva that it 

 is to make itself after the fashion of neuter bees, then we should 

 bear in mind, at any rate, it has been leavened and prepared in the stomachs 

 of those neuter bees into which the larva is now expected to develop 

 itself, and may thus have in it more true germinative matter gemmules, 

 in fact than is commonly supposed. Food, when sufficiently assimilated 

 (the whole question turning upon what is " sufficiently ") becomes stored 

 with all the experience and memories of the assimilating creature ; corn 

 becomes hen, and knows nothing but hen, when hen has eaten it. (Italics 

 mine.) 



All that is necessary to harmonise these highly suggestive 

 views with Bio-Economics and to overcome at the same time the 

 discrepancies so keenly felt by their author, is to allow that the 

 chief and prime " tutoring " of the food takes place at the hands 

 of symbiotic nature. Butler overlooks the fact which is not 

 without pan-psychic importance, that the bee is a symbiotic 

 cross-feeder, in virtue of which it receives specially prepared 

 surplus capital from a partner, from one who, as a result of 

 primordial symbiotic intimacy, has a sense of awareness concern- 

 ing the needs of the bees and is ideally fitted to supply these 

 needs. It is quite probable that the neuter bees " know " how 

 to supplement the natural " tutoring " of the food by some 

 further elaboration, in accordance with special circumstances. 

 Given a good fundamental biological orientation, however 

 unconscious, it should not be difficult for either partner in 

 Symbiosis to make further progressive recognitions of social 

 and bio-social importance. The " maturation " of the food 

 is commenced by the symbiotic plant. It may be carried a step 

 further by the animal for special purposes. And thus, in the place 



