CONCLUSION. 317 



This is such a pleasing notion that it is really a 

 pity to upset it. Tennyson speaks of the rabbit's 

 "innocent face," and if one could add to this an 

 altruistic tail it would imply qualities entitling 

 him to a very high place among the "good" 

 animals which are often held up as an example 

 for frail humanity. 



Unfortunately for his moral reputation, the 

 rabbit's claims to altruism are negatived by a 

 further examination of the facts. Yet the alter- 

 native conclusion which is forced upon us is 

 almost as remarkable. For it seems that the 

 white tail of the rabbit bears an almost exact 

 comparison with such highly civilised and prosaic 

 things as rates and taxes. Apart from any 

 special evidence, his pose as an instance of 

 altruism is completely upset by the absolute utili- 

 tarianism which pervades all nature. " Nothing 

 for nothing- " is the invariable law. 



Certainly our rabbit or deer confers a benefit 

 on his fellows at some expense to himself But 

 we know — because of the universal character of 

 the above law, if for no other reason — that he 

 gets back from the community every bit as 

 much as he gives. 



Now let us see how this works out. All 



