1^4 Terminology and Criticisms 



the position is that these individual adjustments are real 

 {vs. preformism), that they are not inherited (vs. La- 

 marckism), and yet that they influence evolution. These 

 adjustments keep certain creatures alive, so put a premium 

 on the variations which they represent, so ' determine ' 

 the direction of variation, and give the phylum time to per- 

 fect as congenital the same functions which were thus at 

 first only private accommodations. Thus the same result 

 may have come about in many cases as if the Lamarckian 

 view of heredity were true. A case of special importance 

 of this is to be seen in intelligent accommodations^ and one of 

 the most interesting fields of intelligent accommodations as 

 that of social cooperation} The general principle, therefore, 

 that new adjustments effected by the individual may set the 

 direction of evolution without the inheritance of acquired 

 characters is what was considered new and was called 

 organic selection (also for reasons set out of the Natu- 

 ralist article). 



Professor Cattell, writing with thorough appreciation 

 of the principle (in The Psychological Review, September, 

 1896, p. 572), cites Darwin's doctrine of Sexual Selection 

 as a case from the literature. I had also reflected upon 

 this case. But Darwin, as I think — subject to correc- 

 tion by those more familiar with the literature — found 

 the importance of sexual selection in the fact that it 

 took effect directly in the pairing of mates and so influ- 

 enced posterity. It does not seem that Darwin advanced 

 the general truth that all personal adjustments which 



1 These are the two main cases dealt with in my articles, and to my mind 

 the main interest attaching to the imperfection of instinct, discussed lately by 

 various writers in these pages {Science), is that it shows this 'factor' at 

 work. 



