Darwinism stated by Darwin himself: Characteristic passages from the writings of Charles DarwinDarwin, Charles
Science
Darwinism stated by Darwin himself: Characteristic passages from the writings of Charles Darwin
Darwin, Charles
Evolution (Biology)
No determined man probably ever had an habitually gaping mouth. Hence,
also, a small and weak lower jaw, which seems to indicate that the
mouth is not habitually and firmly closed, is commonly thought to be
characteristic of feebleness of character. A prolonged effort of any
kind, whether of body or mind, implies previous determination; and if
it can be shown that the mouth is generally closed with firmness before
and during a great and continued exertion of the muscular system, then,
through the principle of association, the mouth would almost certainly
be closed as soon as any determined resolution was taken.
ANGER.
[Expression of
the Emotions,
page 243.]
The lips are sometimes protruded during rage in a manner the meaning
of which I do not understand, unless it depends on our descent from
some ape-like animal. Instances have been observed, not only with
Europeans, but with the Australians and Hindoos. The lips, however,
are much more commonly retracted, the grinning or clinched teeth being
thus exposed. This has been noticed by almost every one who has written
on expression. The appearance is as if the teeth were uncovered, ready
for seizing or tearing an enemy, though there may be no intention
of acting in this manner. Mr. Dyson Lacy has seen this grinning
expression with the Australians, when quarreling, and so has Gaika
with the Caffres of South Africa. Dickens, in speaking of an atrocious
murderer who had just been caught, and was surrounded by a furious mob,
describes “the people as jumping up one behind another, snarling with
their teeth, and making at him like wild beasts.” Every one who has
had much to do with young children must have seen how naturally they
take to biting, when in a passion. It seems as instinctive in them as
in young crocodiles, who snap their little jaws as soon as they emerge
from the egg.
SNEERING.
[Expression of
the Emotions,
page 253.]
The expression here considered, whether that of a playful sneer or
ferocious snarl, is one of the most curious which occurs in man.
It reveals his animal descent; for no one, even if rolling on the
ground in a deadly grapple with an enemy, and attempting to bite him,
would try to use his canine teeth more than his other teeth. We may
readily believe from our affinity to the anthropomorphous apes that
our male semi-human progenitors possessed great canine teeth, and men
are now occasionally born having them of unusually large size, with
interspaces in the opposite jaw for their reception. We may further
suspect, notwithstanding that we have no support from analogy, that our
semi-human progenitors uncovered their canine teeth when prepared for
battle, as we still do when feeling ferocious, or when merely sneering
at or defying some one, without any intention of making a real attack
with our teeth.
DISGUST.
[Expression of
the Emotions,
page 258.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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