282 THE ASCENT OF MAN 



on which the Altruistic Struggle rests. Were this 

 a late phase of Evolution, or a factor applicable 

 to single genera, it would still be of supreme 

 importance ; but it is radical, universal, involved 

 in the very nature of life itself. As matter is to 

 be interpreted by Science in terms of its properties, 

 life is to be interpreted in terms of its functions. 

 And when we dissect down to that form of matter 

 with which all life is associated, we find it already 

 discharging, in the humblest organisms visible by 

 the microscope, the function on which the stupen- 

 dous superstructure of Altruism indirectly comes to 

 rest. Take the tiniest protoplasmic cell, immerse 

 it in a suitable medium, and presently it will 

 perform two great acts — the two which sum up 

 life, which constitute the eternal distinction be- 

 tween the living and the dead — Nutrition and 

 Reproduction. At one moment, in pursuance of 

 the Struggle for Life, it will call in matter from 

 without, and assimilate it to itself ; at another 

 moment, in pursuance of the Struggle for the Life 

 of Others, it will set a portion of that matter 

 apart, add to it, and finally give it away to form 

 another life. Even at its dawn life is receiver and 

 giver ; even in protoplasm is Self-ism and Other- 

 ism. These two tendencies are not fortuitous. 

 They have been lived into existence. They are 



