140 SYMBIOSIS 



Multiplicative processes, however, as we are soon reminded, 

 are not identical with those of growth, and, " both in the fungi 

 and in other lowly plants, nutrition sets other processes in action 

 which lead to the formation of various sorts of specialised 

 reproductive cells." (Italics mine.) 



What emerges is this : great abundance of nutrition sets in 

 action chemical processes favourable to mere multiplication, to 

 mere reproduction rather than higher-production. The pro- 

 duction of the " higher " i.e., more specialised, reproductive cells 

 requires a new kind of chemical processes. Who or what is it 

 that sets these new chemical processes into action ? 



Prof. Farmer simply says nutrition. But this reply sets 

 us asking how is it that nutrition, or nutritional chemistry, are 

 able to determine both, mere redundant cell-multiplication, and 

 the almost opposite result of the formation of highly specialised 

 non-redundant reproductive cells ? How is it in particular 

 that a strictly limited nutrition seems more apt to conduce to 

 progressive chemical processes with commensurate progressive 

 effects upon reproductive specialisation and evolution generally 

 than almost unlimited nutrition ? In order to answer these 

 important questions, we must get behind nutrition as it were, 

 and discover how it becomes capable of influences other than 

 merely sustaining. 



Obviously, in the choosing, earning and using of food, the 

 factor of autonomy comes into play. Though this autonomy be 

 incipient on the lowest rungs of evolution, and apt to be at the 

 mercy of many foreign influences, yet it is a quantity by no means 

 to be despised one indeed of increasing paramountcy with every 

 forward step of evolution. Moreover, the organism as a member of 

 the biological community, is activated also by a kind of corporate 

 autonomy, which is of some considerable significance and must be 

 taken into account. The corporate autonomy represents the 

 greater experience, the maturer wisdom of the race. It is apt to 

 direct choice of food material, and, in general, use of ways and 

 means, towards communal and co-operative purposes suiting as 

 far as possible the wider ends of life. " Private " autonomy, owing 

 to the frailty of life, is often at variance with corporate autonomy, 

 opposing and frustrating its ends. Harmony between the two 

 autonomies produces the best results in evolution, such results 

 expressing themselves in gains of individuality, in gains of 

 chemical powers and of status. Given such harmony, food and 



