172 ORGANIC EVOLUTION 



tially freeing ourselves from the action of natural selection 

 go? It cannot go on indefinitely. Natural selection still 

 eliminates those who are physically very defective ; so also 

 sexual selection will operate against the perpetuation of 

 physical deformity and great physical weakness. We need 

 not fear the extermination of the race through freeing our- 

 selves from the action of natural selection. I think, how- 

 ever, that we must anticipate a still further physical 

 deterioration of humankind, not only in such minor points 

 as our teeth and eyes, but in all regards, invalidism becom- 

 ing more and more prevalent as medical skill advances. 



There is another profitable inquiry as to our relation to 

 natural selection. What is the nature of our environment 

 to which we must conform in order to survive and prosper 

 and succeed in giving our children favorable opportunities ? 

 The environment of lower animals and plants is made up 

 of many elements that have a bearing upon their lives 

 climate, food and drink, enemies, disease, etc. We have 

 the same elements in the physical environment to which 

 we have to relate ourselves, but in addition we have another 

 factor, perhaps as important as any, namely, public opinion. 

 Unless we conform to a certain standard of intelligence, 

 moral character, and good taste we find ourselves at a dis- 

 advantage in life, and have to struggle hard to maintain 

 ourselves and care for our children. The man who in any 

 or in all of these ways is far in advance of his fellows, or 

 the one who falls much below popular standards, feels the 

 pressure of life more than he who conforms to the popular 

 ideas of right character and good taste. Conformity to 

 public opinion is of great importance if one desires the 



