CHAPTER XX

THE ORIGIN OF TRADITION 419

(1) Supposing other things to be equal, we have to study the influence of differences in fertility and contact upon tradition. (2) Fertility is a purely relative term. (3) The greater the fertility, the greater the incentive to increase in skill and to the transmission of skilled processes. (4) Since fertility is relative there is a shifting of the centres of progress. (5) Contact varies in quantity and quality, and facilitates the transmission and encourages the formation of skill. (6) Contact is hindered by isolation by sea, deserts, and mountains, and is facilitated by rivers. Importance of location and language. (7) Contact also influenced by economic factors which have brought about (8) the evolution from the segmentary to the organic form of social organization. (9) Thus the origin and transmission of tradition have been very greatly encouraged in the third period, (10) though certain influences work against the full realization of the organic type in modern communities. (11) Differences in economic organization are correlated with other differences in social organization.