THE BEGINNINGS OF SOCIAL EVOLUTION 145 



forces are, first, the fact that the family is a natural 

 unit arising from reproduction; second, social in- 

 stincts; third, desire for protection and power that 

 comes from union ; and, fourth, the interest and love 

 of the members for each other. These together make 

 a combination that no exigency of religion, politics, 

 or science has been able to overthrow. 



The Formation of Societies 



Animal Societies. — The family life is only the begin- 

 ning of organization, and we next turn to consider 

 how larger associations than families have been 

 formed. Even among animals there is a very evident 

 tendency in this direction, for animals, though living 

 in a state of competition and struggle, do not live in 

 such a constant hostility as to keep them wholly 

 isolated. On the contrary, it is the common rule to 

 find them associated in groups of various kinds. The 

 general facts are well known to all who have read 

 anecdotes about animals, and we need do no more 

 than give the briefest reference to them. 



Some of the best-known animal societies are those 

 among the colonial insects, like ants and bees. But 

 these seem to be founded upon a different principle 

 from that noted in the societies of mankind, and we 

 will not dwell upon them. Of more significance is 

 the tendency to form societies that is found among 

 vertebrates. Pishes very commonly associate in 

 schools, sometimes for protection, sometimes for 

 hunting, and sometimes for migration. Amphibians 

 and reptiles show less tendency toward societies, 

 although occasionally lizards and snakes may be 

 found in companies. Among birds the examples of 

 societies are extremely numerous. Flocks of ducks, 



