314 THE ASCENT OF MAN 



tion with its induced activities and relations, not 

 only has Altruism entered the world, but along 

 with it the necessary field for its expansion and 

 full expression. If Nature is to be read solely 

 in the light of the Struggle for Life, these ethical 

 anticipations — and as yet we are but at the begin- 

 ning of them — for a social world and a moral life, 

 must remain the stultification both of science and 

 of teleology. 



THE ETHICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX 



Next among the gifts of Reproduction fall to 

 be examined some further contributions yielded by 

 the new and extraordinary device which a moment 

 ago leaped into prominence — Sex. The direct, 

 and especially the collateral, issues here are of 

 such significance that it will be essential to study 

 them in detail. Realize the novelty and originality 

 of this most highly specialized creation, and it will 

 be seen at once that something of exceptional 

 moment must lie behind it. Here is a phenomenon 

 which stands absolutely alone on the field of Nature. 

 There is not only nothing at all like it in the world, 

 but while everything else has homologues or ana- 

 logues somewhere in the cosmos, this is without any 

 parallel. Familiarity has so accustomed us to it 



