ATROPHY OF INSTITUTIONS FROM LACK OF USE 289 



territory or with population, the two factors of 

 social evolution. 



Either the physical surroundings of institutions 

 undergo unfavourable transformations, or else the 

 population itself degenerates. 



(1) The almost complete disappearance of the 

 great family communities (zadrugas) of Montenegro 

 is a characteristic instance of atrophy from lack of 

 resources caused by the impoverishment of physical 

 surroundings. The persistent cutting down of trees 

 in the Black Mountain has had a disastrous effect 

 on the water supply, and consequently upon the 

 fertility of the ground. Most of the zadrugas, 

 having found it impossible to continue their 

 existence in common upon the same territory, 

 have split up into small families (inoJcosnas). 

 These latter represent, in a reduced state, the 

 old family system from which they have sprung. 

 Bogisic has shown that these in no way resemble 

 our modern families, but are to be regarded, from 

 the judicial point of view, as reduced family com- 

 munities, each comprised of only a few persons. 



(2) Other cases occur where the atrophy of an 

 institution of an artistic or scientific society, for 

 instance is brought about by the degeneration of 

 a population which ceases to be interested in the 

 society and no longer contributes to its support. 

 A large number of cases of this kind might easily 

 be mentioned, especially as occurring during the 

 period of the Byzantine Empire, but it is difficult 



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