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
descended, as is supposed by some naturalists, from two or more
species, which differed from each other as much, or nearly as much, as
does the orang from the gorilla, it can hardly be doubted that marked
differences in the structure of certain bones would still be
discoverable in man as he now exists.
Although the existing races of man differ in many respects, as in
colour, hair, shape of skull, proportions of the body, etc., yet if
their whole structure be taken into consideration they are found to
resemble each other closely in a multitude of points. Many of these are
of so unimportant or of so singular a nature, that it is extremely
improbable that they should have been independently acquired by
aboriginally distinct species or races. The same remark holds good with
equal or greater force with respect to the numerous points of mental
similarity between the most distinct races of man. The American
aborigines, Negroes and Europeans are as different from each other in
mind as any three races that can be named; yet I was incessantly
struck, whilst living with the Fuegians on board the “Beagle,” with the
many little traits of character, shewing how similar their minds were
to ours; and so it was with a full-blooded negro with whom I happened
once to be intimate.
He who will read Mr. Tylor’s and Sir J. Lubbock’s interesting works
(24. Tylor’s ‘Early History of Mankind,’ 1865: with respect to
gesture-language, see p. 54. Lubbock’s ‘Prehistoric Times,’ 2nd edit.
1869.) can hardly fail to be deeply impressed with the close similarity
between the men of all races in tastes, dispositions and habits. This
is shewn by the pleasure which they all take in dancing, rude music,
acting, painting, tattooing, and otherwise decorating themselves; in
their mutual comprehension of gesture-language, by the same expression
in their features, and by the same inarticulate cries, when excited by
the same emotions. This similarity, or rather identity, is striking,
when contrasted with the different expressions and cries made by
distinct species of monkeys. There is good evidence that the art of
shooting with bows and arrows has not been handed down from any common
progenitor of mankind, yet as Westropp and Nilsson have remarked (25.
‘On Analogous Forms of Implements,’ in ‘Memoirs of Anthropological
Society’ by H.M. Westropp. ‘The Primitive Inhabitants of Scandinavia,’
Eng. translat., edited by Sir J. Lubbock, 1868, p. 104.), the stone
arrow-heads, brought from the most distant parts of the world, and
manufactured at the most remote periods, are almost identical; and this
fact can only be accounted for by the various races having similar
inventive or mental powers. The same observation has been made by
archaeologists (26. Westropp ‘On Cromlechs,’ etc., ‘Journal of
Ethnological Soc.’ as given in ‘Scientific Opinion,’ June 2nd, 1869, p.
3.) with respect to certain widely-prevalent ornaments, such as
zig-zags, etc.; and with respect to various simple beliefs and customs,
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