Now, among all animals, the prenatal period and the period of the maternal feeding are almost the longest in man. The helplessness of the human infant is unique among the creatures of the animal kingdom. The new-born baby is devoid of nearly all instinctive capacities, except the taking-in and assimilation of food. It is unable to stand or wander in search of food. It is nearly blind and deaf. It is perfectly naked, without fur or feathers, and hence is in need of a certain amount of heat, being injured by the least draught. It is in need of the utmost cleanliness, still it is unable to keep itself clean. It is unable to fast longer than a few hours. In short, the human infant is the most complete picture of helpless dependence. Hence without the help and strength of fatherhood, afforded to motherhood, the human race could not have survived the primitive stage, when couples still lived separated. The length and feebleness of human infancy required a union of male and female of considerable duration. By the time the last child was able to emancipate itself from the parental protection, the period of sexual activity had been passed. Permanent mating among men, especially in the prehuman stage, was a condition sine qua non, all the preachings of the free-lovers to the contrary notwithstanding.[AC] Permanent mating is, therefore, a natural impulse among human beings. It is necessary for the protection and preservation of the lives of a lesser number of offspring of a higher grade. Permanent mating is, hence, of fundamental racial value. In man this impulse is of a more complex form and broader range, which leads the individual to wish not for momentary excitement, but for a permanent union, for a home, for a family. Even to the man who regularly indulges in meretricious venery there comes a time when these bonds of mere passion do not satisfy any longer. He begins to crave for a permanent mate and a home. This impulse appears later in life and is not present in the earlier impulse for mere conjugation, arising at the period of puberty. The amatory feelings at that time of life are bestowed upon the first pleasing individual of the opposite sex and are seldom of long duration. They are transferred from individual to individual. Later in life, after character is formed, there comes for men and women the dawn of a deeper affection, which involves bonds of stronger form and more permanent type than any that mere passion can arouse. This unconscious and involuntary craving for a permanent mate and home is of an altruistic nature. It has been wisely implanted in the interest of the race. There is nothing egotistical connected with this impulse. Personal gratification does not enter into consideration, for the joy and pleasure connected with personal satisfaction may be found with any temporary mate. CHAPTER XII SENSUAL LOVE