214 The Bible of Nature 



with the impression that the self-assertion of the 

 strong at the expense of the weak is the universal 

 law of nature. 



(2) Moreover, while it is quite true that the cos- 

 mic process leads to the survival of the fittest for 

 given conditions, not necessarily to the survival 

 of the noblest or the most beautiful or, in any way 

 but one, the best; that the parasite is the result of 

 selection just as much as the paragon of creation; 

 that if the northern hemisphere became glacial 

 again, the fittest creatures would be lichens and 

 snow plants; does not Huxley's argument tend to 

 obscure the fact that, after all, there has been a 

 progressive evolution of finer and freer types in 

 the course of the ages ? The cosmic process may 

 have *'no sort of relation to moral ends," but it has 

 led up to most marvellous masterpieces, along any 

 line you choose to follow, and notably along that 

 line which leads to man. Has it ''no sort of rela- 

 tion to moral ends,"^ when it has led up along 

 many lines to extraordinary exhibitions of parental 

 sacrifice and altruistic devotion? Has it "no 

 sort of relation to moral ends," if it puts a premium 

 on health, vigor, self-control, temperance? 



(3) Speaking of the more or less sound argu- 



^ It seems rather strange that Huxley in disclaiming any 

 ethical note in organic evolution should have persistently 

 used phrases like "ruthless self-assertion/' or "the un- 

 fathomable injustice of the nature of things." 



