4 Heredity, Variation and Genius 



germinal differences, predispositions of elements 

 fitted to grow into definite structural characters, 

 and that unlike bodily and mental qualities are as 

 much in the natural order of things as likenesses. 

 And if innate germinal differences, then active 

 elective affinities working in the particular germ- 

 unions as in the particular parental germ-breeders 

 when they fell furiously and fatuously in love — 

 sexual attractions or selections of elements in 

 germs as of mortals in social life. 



That variations continually occur in organic 

 combinations and developments is a familiar fact. 

 Sprouting prodigally they mostly perish soon be- 

 cause they are not then put forth in circum- 

 stances favourable to their growth ; those only 

 thrive and grow which lighting on propitious 

 surroundings meet with conditions suiting them 

 and they suit — that is to say, by what is called 

 natural selection. In such case it is a survival of 

 that which is most fitted to survive in the cir- 

 cumstances, although nowise always a survival of 

 the highest and best, seeing that the circumstances 

 may suit the worst and starve the best. Pliant 

 sycophancy prospers well where manly self-respect 

 would die of inanition, and the apt lie often 

 spreads quickly in civilized communities by natural 

 selection or easy infection when the naked truth, be- 

 ing conventionally indecent, obtains no sustenance 

 and is promptly stifled. Why variations occur so 

 constantly in organic development is not yet ex- 

 plained, unless it be thought explanation enough 



