OF THE SOUTH SEAS 393 



race must have grown to very great numbers on every 

 island they settled from Samoa to Hawaii, and perhaps 

 these numbers induced migrations. They doubtless 

 grew to threatening swarms before they began checking 

 the increase. Thomas Carver, professor of political 

 economy at Harvard, says: 



Even if the wants of the individual never expanded at all, 

 it is quite obvious that an indefinite increase in the number of 

 individuals in any locality would, sooner or later, result in 

 scarcity and bring them into conflict with nature, and, there- 

 fore, into conflict with one another. That human populations 

 are physiologically capable of indefinite increase, if time be 

 allotted, is admitted, and must be admitted by any one who has 

 given the slightest attention to the subject. Among the non- 

 economizing animals and plants, it is not the limits of their 

 procreative power but the limits of subsistence which determine 

 their numbers. Neither is it lack of procreative power which 

 limits numbers in the case of man, the economic animal. With 

 him also it is a question of subsistence, but of subsistence ac- 

 cording to some standard. Being gifted with economic fore- 

 sight he will not multiply beyond the point where he can main- 

 tain that standard which he considers decent. But — and this 

 is especially to be noted — so powerful are his procreative and 

 domestic instincts that he will multiply up to the point where 

 it is difficult to maintain whatever standard he has. 



Instinct early taught society everywhere protection 

 against the irksome condition of too many people and too 

 little food. The old were killed or deserted in wander- 

 ings or migrations, and infanticide and abortion 

 practised, as they are commonly in Africa to-day. Six- 

 sevenths of India have for ages practised female infan- 

 ticide, yet India increases two millions annually, and 



