THE STRUGGLE FOR THE LIFE OF OTHERS. 245 



the Struggle for the Life of Others — and in the next 

 chapters we shall see that it has been — there can be 

 no dispute about the rank of the factor which con- 

 summates it. Along the line of the physiological 

 function of Reproduction, in association with its in- 

 duced activities and relations, not only has Altruism 

 entered the world, but along with it the necessary 

 field for its expansion and full expression. If Nature 

 is to be read solely in the light of the Struggle for 

 Life, these ethical anticipations — and as yet we are 

 but at the beginning of them — for a social world and 

 a moral life, must remain the stultification both of 

 science and of teleology. 



THE ETHICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX. 



N"ext among the gifts of Reproduction fall to be 

 examined some further contributions yielded by the 

 new and extraordinary device which a moment ago 

 leaped into prominence — Sex. The direct, and es- 

 pecially the collateral, issues here are of such signifi- 

 cance that it will be essential to study them in detail. 

 Realize the novelty and originality of this most highly 

 specialized creation, and it will be seen at once that 

 something of exceptional moment must lie behind it. 

 Here is a phenomenon which stands absolutely alone 

 on the field of Nature. There is not only nothing at 

 all like it in the world, but while everything else has 

 homologues or analogues somewhere in the cosmos, 

 this is without any parallel. Familiarity has so ac- 

 customed us to it that we accept the sex separation 

 as a matter of course ; but no words can do justice to 

 the wonder and novelty of this strange line of cleav- 



