1896.] A New Factor in Evolution. 553 
“ Organic” in the phrase was suggested from the fact that the 
organism itself codperates in the formation of the adaptations 
which are effected, and also from the fact that, in the results, 
the organism is itself selected ; since those organisms which do 
not secure the adaptations fall by the principle of natural selec- 
tion. And the word “Selection” used in the phrase is appro- 
priate for just the same two reasons. 
Social Heredity —The acquisition of functions from the social 
environment, also considered as a method of determining 
phylogenetic variations. It is a form of Organic Selection but 
it deserves a special name because of its special way of opera- 
tion. It is really heredity, since it influences the direction 
of phylogenetic variation by keeping socially adaptive creat- 
ures alive while others which do not adapt themselves in this 
way are cut off. It is also heredity since it is a continuous 
influence from generation to generation. Animals may be 
kept alive let us say in a given environment by social co- 
operation only; these transmit this social type of variation to 
posterity ; thus social adaptation sets the direction of physical 
phylogeny and physical heredity is determined in part by this factor. 
Furthermore the process is all the while, from generation to 
generation, aided by the continuous chain of extra-organic or 
purely social transmissions. Here are adequate reasons for 
marking off this influence with a name. 
The other terms I do not care so much about. “ Physico- 
genetic,” “ neuro-genetic,” “ psycho-genetic,” and their correla- 
tives in “ genic,” seem to me to be convenient terms to mark 
distinctions which would involve long sentences without them, 
besides being self-explanatory. The phrase “circular reaction ” 
has now been welcomed as appropriate by psychologists. 
“ Accommodation” is also current among psychologists as 
meaning single functional adaptations, especially on the part 
of consciousness ; the biological word “adaptation” refers more, 
perhaps, to racial or general functions. As between them, 
however, it does not much matter. 
9I have already noted in print (ref. 4 and 6) that Prof. Lloyd Morgan 
and Prof. H. F. Osborn have reached conclusions similar to my main one on 
Organic Selection. I do not hice whether they approve of this name for the 
“ factor ;” but as I suggested it in the first edition of my book (April, 1895) and 
used it earlier, I venture to hope that it may be approved by the biologisst. 
