94 The Morality of Nature 



same time the individual life period lengthens in the greater 

 security, and this further reduces the need for new births. 

 Then it appears that the individuals most fit to survive and 

 dominate the conduct in this favoring environment, will be 

 not selected by vigilance in accident, or by fleetness of flight, 

 but by suitability to these new conditions of peaceful crowd- 

 ing, in which an aptitude for life in common unity will count 

 for most. The lineage most favorable for survival will not 

 be the most prolific, when the race against destruction has 

 been superseded by a contest in self-improvement. Then the 

 family will prevail which produces the best equipped mem- 

 bers, rather than the greatest number. The strength of a 

 lineage may be expressed as the power of the individual 

 multiplied by the number of individuals. The most prolific 

 family may fail to establish a single one in normal security ; 

 while one transmitting life to smaller numbers may secure 

 for every one of them survival and advanced ability; and the 

 strength of this group may thus be greater. The smaller 

 numbers of progeny of the higher animals is thus seen to be 

 not a failing of nature in the less virile condition. It is a 

 demonstration of promotion to a higher conduct in higher 

 conditions, which come into controlling importance, al- 

 though the lower influences still have effect in lessened im- 

 portance. 



The process of elimination among crowded populations 

 may be, and in fact is, more severe upon the lineage most 

 prolific, and the achievement, as expressed in the sum of lives 

 established, and in their terms, and values in worthiness; 

 may be and in fact is, less than is reached by those families 

 which obey the natural promptings when numbers are suf- 



