42 The Morality of Nature 



already well developed, an instinct for associated life and 

 for agreement and for concerted action. Even this is not 

 the lowest life in which such harmony could be studied, for 

 such habits begin in the lowest creatures as soon as pros- 

 perity causes crowding ; and prevail wherever such crowding 

 continues. But in a creature like the fish we find an en- 

 lightening study because the habit exists clearly established 

 with a very low order of intelligence (especially low in the 

 young of fish). And there it is combined with a well-de- 

 veloped physical structure easily observed. Everyone knows 

 the life of those little inch long things. They appear in 

 shoals which show continual losses ; they are chased by larger 

 fish and their weaklings are caught. They swim into shallow 

 water and frequent the shores, evidently to avoid these 

 enemies; and doubtless to find suitable food for themselves. 

 But in all their vicissitudes they keep together, not apparently 

 because of any distinct control or leadership, since, however 

 much the shoal may be broken up into smaller groups, each 

 group never fails of the instinct to move collectively. It is 

 clear that the desire for action in agreement is mutual and 

 common to all. Yet some leadership is shown in each group, 

 a natural result of inequality in the general effort. Move- 

 ment is chiefly flight for self-preservation, and in this flight 

 the swiftest naturally come to the front, and, as naturally, 

 the others follow. The appointment of a leader is automatic, 

 but the act of following is instinctive. But observe the 

 obedience of this instinctive impulse. All follow to the ut- 

 most of their ability. And when some fail through acci- 

 dent or impotence, and lose the desired contact, those who 

 thus separate, if more than one, still look to and follow 



