THE EVOLUTION OF A MOTHER 355 



run of offspring in lower nature — spring off into 

 independent life the moment they are born ? If 

 the Mother is to be taught to know her progeny, 

 surely the progeny also must be taught not to 

 abandon their Mother. And hence Nature had to 

 set about a somewhat novel task — to teach the 

 youth of the world the Fifth Commandment. 

 Glance once more over the Animal series and see 

 how thoroughly she taught them the lesson. It is 

 sometimes said that Nature has no imperatives. 

 In reality it is all imperative. This Commandment 

 was thrust upon the early world under penalties 

 for disobedience the most exacting that could be 

 devised — the threat of death. Pick out a few 

 children and inspect them. Take one from the 

 bottom of Nature, one from the middle, and one 

 from the top, and see if any progress in filial duty 

 is visible as we ascend. The first, — the young of 

 Aurelia will do, or a ciliated Infusorian, — represent- 

 ing countless millions like itself, is the Precocious 

 Child. The moment this embryo is born it leaves 

 the domestic hearth ; the chances are it has never 

 seen its parents. If it has, it disowns them on the 

 spot. A better swimmer in many cases — for many 

 of the parents have forgotten how to swim — it can- 

 not be overtaken. It ignores its Mother and 

 despises her. The second is the Good Intentioned 



