The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to SexDarwin, Charles
History
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
Darwin, Charles
Evolution (Biology); Human beings -- Origin; Sex differences; Sexual dimorphism (Animals); Sexual selection in animals
‘The Naturalist in Nicaragua,’ 1874,
p. 118.)
It is certain that associated animals have a feeling of love for each
other, which is not felt by non-social adult animals. How far in most
cases they actually sympathise in the pains and pleasures of others, is
more doubtful, especially with respect to pleasures. Mr. Buxton,
however, who had excellent means of observation (11. ‘Annals and
Magazine of Natural History,’ November 1868, p. 382.), states that his
macaws, which lived free in Norfolk, took “an extravagant interest” in
a pair with a nest; and whenever the female left it, she was surrounded
by a troop “screaming horrible acclamations in her honour.” It is often
difficult to judge whether animals have any feeling for the sufferings
of others of their kind. Who can say what cows feel, when they surround
and stare intently on a dying or dead companion; apparently, however,
as Houzeau remarks, they feel no pity. That animals sometimes are far
from feeling any sympathy is too certain; for they will expel a wounded
animal from the herd, or gore or worry it to death. This is almost the
blackest fact in natural history, unless, indeed, the explanation which
has been suggested is true, that their instinct or reason leads them to
expel an injured companion, lest beasts of prey, including man, should
be tempted to follow the troop. In this case their conduct is not much
worse than that of the North American Indians, who leave their feeble
comrades to perish on the plains; or the Fijians, who, when their
parents get old, or fall ill, bury them alive. (12. Sir J. Lubbock,
‘Prehistoric Times,’ 2nd ed., p. 446.)
Many animals, however, certainly sympathise with each other’s distress
or danger. This is the case even with birds. Captain Stansbury (13. As
quoted by Mr. L.H. Morgan, ‘The American Beaver,’ 1868, p. 272. Capt.
Stansbury also gives an interesting account of the manner in which a
very young pelican, carried away by a strong stream, was guided and
encouraged in its attempts to reach the shore by half a dozen old
birds.) found on a salt lake in Utah an old and completely blind
pelican, which was very fat, and must have been well fed for a long
time by his companions. Mr. Blyth, as he informs me, saw Indian crows
feeding two or three of their companions which were blind; and I have
heard of an analogous case with the domestic cock. We may, if we
choose, call these actions instinctive; but such cases are much too
rare for the development of any special instinct. (14. As Mr. Bain
states, “effective aid to a sufferer springs from sympathy proper:”
‘Mental and Moral Science,’ 1868, p. 245.) I have myself seen a dog,
who never passed a cat who lay sick in a basket, and was a great friend
of his, without giving her a few licks with his tongue, the surest sign
of kind feeling in a dog.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account