THE HUMAN PLANT 377 



In a word, then, we might advantageously 

 apply to the human plant the same general prin- 

 ciple which we saw to be the most fundamental 

 one guiding us in our plant experiments, saying 

 that here, no less than in the case of the actual 

 plant, selection is the first and last word. 



What was said in concluding an earlier chap- 

 ter with reference to plant breeding, may now 

 advantageously be repeated with reference to 

 the improvement of human beings : "The begin- 

 ning is selection, and the end is selection." 



No one who has given the matter a serious 

 thought can but have observed that the cause for 

 the fall of all past nations has been through the 

 fact of the false idea that the human race is not 

 subject to the same laws of nature that govern 

 all other forms of life. Man is a part of nature 

 and can never improve except through some 

 form of intelligent selection. Every civilization 

 will certainly disintegrate and pass away in 

 destruction and wreckage if we depend on teach- 

 ing rather than on correct breeding. Every 

 species of plant, animal, or man descends to 

 destruction and annihilation if the weeds are 

 allowed to breed unchecked. The best must 

 sooner or later be overcome by the vastly greater 

 fecundity of the weeds. Do not deceive your- 

 self with platitudes as to moral training. It is 



