CHAPTER X 



THE FUNCTION OF DEATH 



The process of survival of the fittest, illustrates the 

 seemingly cruel methods of nature. It does not seem to 

 agree with human conceptions of justice, but as it persists, 

 and cannot be overlooked, it demands our effort to under- 

 stand it. Is there a just law governing this method of 

 correction of individual error by summary death, and this 

 achievement of progress (or sometimes perhaps of mainte- 

 nance) in the powers and functions of the race, by the death 

 sentence of those who fall short in the race achievements? 



In the lowly forms of life the extended operation of 

 death as a factor in this plan of development is amazing. 

 Many species of fish have attained to a considerable develop- 

 ment of co-operative action and mutual support, and some 

 have well marked individual obligations of an altruistic 

 nature (such for example as clan defense and nest building), 

 yet these instincts do not serve, as they seem to do with 

 many other species, to prevent a prodigal expenditure of life 

 which seems to be waste. While the birds, to insure the 

 perpetuation of their kind habitually guard their nests, 

 and tend their eggs, and teach their young, and so almost 

 entirely prevent loss of life under normal conditions, and 

 raise to an age of efficiency nearly all their offspring ( fore- 

 shadowing in this the capacities of higher life), the fishes 



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