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displayed in the creation of structures and instincts having
primary reference to the species which present them.” But
if we take the ground that beneficent design works through
the processes of evolution, in a world where the struggle
for existence exercises a never-ceasing influence, the divine
action will operate in accordance with the conditions laid
down, and with the laws framed, by an infinite wisdom.
The phenomenon which we are asked to discover could not
be produced in nature : it could only be brought about by
miraculous intervention—an hypothesis not to be enter
tained in scientific discussion. I have been proceeding on
the supposition that this arrangement, if possible, would be
beneficial. I cannot discuss that point here at length, but
I venture to affirm that a self-sacrifice which paid no
attention to self-preservation and self-development in the
highest as well as the lowest sense of those terms, would
be neither good for the devotee, for the object of his
beneficence, or for society at large. And what I believe
to be true of human society, I see no reason for thinking
untrue when applied to the animal world.
Surely all that the theory of beneficent design can
reasonably require under these circumstances is that
certain structures and instincts which are primarily useful
to one species, should have a secondary importance
through the co-operation of one species with another.
Hence the only question which remains to be answered
is as to whether there is in nature this co-operation which
beneficent design may reasonably be supposed to have
foreseen and provided for. So far as I am able to under
stand Mr. Romanes, he gives two diametrically opposite
answers to this question. On the one hand he says,
“ Every species is for itself and for itself alone—an out
come of the always and everywhere fiercely raging struggle
for life.” And yet in the next sentence he refers to