SOME ASPECTS OF ZOOLOGY 59 



But observe, the conclusion gives no sanction to such 

 visionary ideals as natural equality of individuals. " New 

 characters " and " modifications of old characters " are the 

 things on which progress depends, and their very existence 

 implies inequality. 



Competition may be eliminated, without fear of harm, but 

 if we are to construct anything permanent, anything better 

 than a temporary shifting of the balance of misery and waste, 

 it is necessary to look ascertained facts and well-founded 

 scientific conclusions squarely in the face, and to found our 

 plans on them, rather than on visions of what might be if the 

 course of Nature were different from what it is. 



The fundamental facts are reproduction and inheritance. 

 So long as we did not know their laws they could not be con- 

 trolled wisely. Now we do know their laws, and they can be 

 controlled. It is time that man set about to obtain the same 

 mastery over himself that he has long ago obtained over the 

 beasts of the field. 



The first step is the control of the birth-rate, without which 

 restriction of competition is impossible. The bare suggestion 

 raises a howl from a large number of persons, but the loudest 

 howls come from those who are framing schemes for greater 

 competition, for commercial aggrandisement in the reconstruc- 

 tion after the war. "Non ragiontam di lor, ma guarda e passa." 



Others say it is immoral, or that it is impossible. 



" Immoral " it cannot be, if right methods are followed and 

 the aim is so beneficent. "Impossible " I do not accept; but 

 difficult it certainly will be, and its operation exceedingly slow. 



For any change in our social habits and customs in this 

 respect must be the outcome of individual reason and in- 

 telligence working towards a moral end. That is to say, it 

 must be the result of education of the people ; an education 

 sufficiently sound to bring conviction to all. Then, and not 

 till then, will man by the exercise of his reason get dominion 

 over himself and escape from his present troubles, even as 

 his primitive forefathers got dominion over the beasts and 

 escaped from them. 



It is not a question for State regulation, and in my opinion 



