152 UNIVERSALITY OF DEGENERATIVE EVOLUTION 



process of their development. In many cases this 

 can be historically demonstrated. 



It may fairly be asserted that in all societies 

 there are instances of survival, i.e. survival of 

 customs, beliefs and institutions, the original 

 character of which has so completely disappeared 

 that they might well be dispensed with altogether. 

 We shall deal only with such survivals as 

 correspond mutatis mutandis to the rudimentary 

 organs of animals and plants. 



These survivals are of two kinds, the institu- 

 tion itself, such as the various corporations of the 

 city of London, which may still persist, though in 

 a modified condition, or there may remain only 

 traces of the institution in forms, ceremonies, 

 symbols, public games and fetes, customs and 

 legislative formula. 



In order to demonstrate this point, it will not 

 be necessary to make a complete enumeration, 

 furnishing examples from all countries of the 

 world, or to draw up a complete list of survivals in 

 any given country. It will be enough to establish 

 two points : 



1. That instances of survival shall be shown to 



exist in all societies, even where they are 

 least likely to be found. 



2. That, in any institution that of the family, 



for instance survivals may be found of 

 all the former stages through which it 

 passed into its present condition. 



