326 THE LAW OF EVOLUTION. 



111. The phenomena set down in the foregoing para- 

 graph are introductory to others of a higher order, with 

 which they ought, perhaps, in strictness, to be grouped 

 phenomena which, for want of a better word, we may term 

 super-organic. Inorganic bodies present us with certain 

 facts. Certain other facts, mostly of a more involved kind, 

 are presented by organic bodies. There remain yet further 

 facts, not presented by any organic body taken singly; but 

 which result from the actions of aggregated organic bodies 

 on one another and on inorganic bodies. Though phenom- 

 ena of this order are, as we see, foreshadowed among in- 

 ferior organisms, they become so extremely conspicuous in 

 mankind as socially united, that practically we may consider 

 them to commence here. 



In the social organism integrative changes are clearly 

 and abundantly exemplified. Uncivilized societies display 

 them when wandering families, such as we see among Bush- 

 men, join into tribes of considerable numbers. A further 

 progress of like nature is everywhere manifested in the sub- 

 jugation of weaker tribes by stronger ones; and in the sub- 

 ordination of their respective chiefs to the conquering chief. 

 The combinations thus resulting, which, among aboriginal 

 races, are being continually formed and continually broken 

 up, become, among superior races, relatively permanent. If 

 we trace the stages through which our own society, or any 

 adjacent one, has passed, we see this unification from time 

 to time repeated on a larger scale and gaining in stability. 

 The aggregation of juniors and the children of juniors 

 under elders and the children of elders; the consequent 

 establishment of groups of vassals bound to their respective 

 nobles; the subsequent subordination of groups of inferior 

 nobles to dukes or earls; and the still later growth of the 

 kingly power over dukes and earls ; are so many instances of 

 increasing consolidation. This process through which petty 

 tenures are aggregated in feuds, feuds into provinces, pro- 

 vinces into kingdoms, and finally contiguous kingdoms into 



