152 SOCIAL HEREDITY AND SOCIAL EVOLUTION 



ment of the race is parallel with the number of indi- 

 viduals associated to form a system. It is certain 

 that from the beginning of the organization of the 

 family the progress of civilization has been con- 

 stantly in the direction of the organization of larger 

 and larger numbers of individuals into systems. Of 

 course there have been many side currents to the gen- 

 eral stream. Small nations have sometimes been 

 ahead of larger ones, and many a great body of men 

 has broken to pieces under the emergency of condi- 

 tions. But in spite of all seeming disintegration it is 

 perfectly clear that the general trend of the stream 

 of advance has been constant and uniform. Civil- 

 ization has progressed toward greater and greater 

 organization with a, force that has been absolutely 

 irresistible. 



