On the phenomena of hybridity in the genus Homo — John Shaqi
On the phenomena of hybridity in the genus HomoBroca, Paul
Science
On the phenomena of hybridity in the genus Homo
Broca, Paul
Hominids -- Hybridization; Miscegenation
We must, however, take care not to imitate the paradoxical reasoning
of our adversaries, and because some crossings of _certain_ races are
eugenesic, to conclude, _à priori_, that _all_ the other intermixtures
are equally so. The study of hybridity in birds and quadrupeds has
taught us that we can never know with certainty, before making the
experiment, what will be the result of crossing. Neither must we forget
that the ethnological facts which have served us as examples apply to
the intermixture of races distinct, no doubt, but nearly related in
many respects. The mixture of races more distant from each other, is
it equally prolific, and are the descendants eugenesic? This is the
question we now intend to examine.
SECTION III.
EXAMPLES TENDING TO PROVE THAT THE INTERMIXTURE OF CERTAIN RACES OF MEN
ARE NOT EUGENESIC.
In the first part of this essay we have endeavoured to establish that
certain human cross-breeds possess an unlimited fecundity, both in
their direct alliances and with either of the parent races, whence we
have inferred that eugenesic hybridity really exists in mankind.
We intend now to investigate the results of certain intermixtures more
disparate, and review a number of facts tending to the conclusion that
all human cross-breeds are not eugenesic.
Let us observe at the outset, how far the phenomena of eugenesic or
non-eugenesic hybridity may affect the solution of the great question
pending between the Monogenists and the Polygenists.
What in animals in general, characterises the eugenesic hybridity,
is the unlimited fecundity of mongrels of the first degree between
themselves. It is by no means necessary that the parent species should
be as prolific in their crossings as in their direct unions, nor that
the mongrels should be as productive as their parents, as large, as
strong, and as long-lived, etc. Supposing, for instance, that the
she-wolf conceives with more difficulty with the mastiff than with her
proper mate; supposing even that this crossing is only efficacious by
way of exception; that it succeeds only once out of ten, instead of
succeeding constantly as it occurs in animals of the same species;
it would be sufficient, if in this tenth case the mongrels are very
prolific to pronounce the crossing eugenesic. Supposing also, that the
hybrid wolf-dogs of the first degree produced only litters of about
two or three, that is to say, only half the number usually produced
by she-wolves and bitches, the result would be that this intermediate
race would breed less rapidly by half than the pure species; but,
provided the productiveness of the mongrels does not descend below the
degree necessary for the preservation of the species, and provided it
can repair the loss at every generation, the crossing would still be
eugenesic, nor would it cease being so, even if the breed were only
half as strong as their parents, and only half as long-lived.
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