430 THE OEIGIN OF TEADITION 



features which characterize these elements. The variations of 

 the constitution of primitive society are very numerous, but it has 

 essentially this form which Durkheim calls ' segmentary '. The 

 sohdarity of such a society rests solely upon the similarity between 

 these clans ; the binding forces, that is to say, which keep the 

 society together, do not take their origin in the fact that these 

 elements are complementary to each other and in combination 

 form one organic whole ; such coherence as there is arises solely 

 from the fact that these elements, in so far as they are similar, 

 coalesce together. Typically, then, we find in this stage of organiza- 

 tion families living side by side very largely independent one 

 of another but combining to form clans. These clans have as 

 a rule no definite constitution ; but at times, owing to internal 

 dissensions or warfare, a leader or leaders may arise who put 

 themselves at the head of these groups. 



As has been said, variations in and developments of this type 

 of organization may arise and, though among primitive races 

 some approach to the higher type can be detected, the evolution 

 of the higher type of organization is essentially a development 

 which took place in the third period. This type of organization 

 we call organic, as distinguished from segmentary, because in the 

 first place the elements which go to form the whole do not simply 

 cohere owing to their similarity ; they are in the nature of more 

 or less specialized organs all of which are necessary in order that 

 the whole may exist. Each again has a particular role and each 

 organ is formed of differentiated parts. These organs are not 

 simply connected one with another hke hnks in a chain ; they are 

 co-ordinated one with another and subordinated one to another 

 into an organic system. The parts are dependent on the whole 

 and the whole on the parts. 



In an organic society, in fact, men are grouped according to 

 their profession and not according to their descent. One of the 

 marks of the segmentary type of society is that men are grouped 

 according to their descent, real or fictitious, and it is this relation- 

 ship which determines their position in society. In the organic 

 type of society, that which determines a man's position is the 

 function which he fulfils. In this form of society there are 

 remnants of the older form of organization, as is seen in the 

 recognition of areas, smaller elements such as parishes being 

 united into larger areas such as boroughs, which are united in 



