130 The Morality of Nature 



within the parent; and the parent structure so abandoned 

 by part of the germplasm, continues active and effective for 

 a long time afterward. The grand natural truth visible to 

 the eye of science is that the ego substance does not die, but 

 puts out branch after branch, each one a portion of itself, 

 and of its continuous life power and substance. 



This descent of the undying germplasm is irrespective of 

 the principle of sex; that is to say it occurs whether repro- 

 duction is sexual or asexual. In the lowest phases of life 

 there are many examples of reproduction without sex. The 

 function of sex is secondary. It is a later acquisition, serv- 

 ing to combine in descent the germplasm of two strains with 

 the result of finally combining many strains, so that any 

 desirable qualities shall be distributed throughout the race. 

 The effects thus attained are in the study of conduct of 

 amazing importance, but they do not change the principle 

 of the continuity of life. The sexual descent of the germ- 

 plasm may be briefly described as the uniting of two half 

 cells recently divided, one half cell from each parent com- 

 bining their inherited substances and qualities to make a 

 new cell, which then from its new unity proceeds to sub- 

 divide itself again and again to develop the new structure 

 for the ego. This ego will surround and equip itself with 

 the bodily flesh, bones, organs and skin, made by inherited 

 ability in the form and pattern of the ancestry of two parents 

 instead of one. It still remains the undying ego. 



Now it becomes comprehensible how and why the conduct 

 unit includes more than one creature. This line of germ- 

 plasm issuing from a parent and making alliance with 

 another, passes into its independent life and activity, but 



