The Law of Sex: Being an Exposition of the Natural Law by which the Sex of ... - George Briggs Starkweather - Google Libros

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-M. Thury's statements contradicted. Tendency in nature to

restore the equilibrium in the next generation- A current theory

condensed by Darwin-Certain theories opposed to the laws of

Nature Void of any rational foundation--Contrary to well-

known facts-Their fallacy proved-The Comparative Vigour

theory-Tested by M. Girou on 300 sheep-Curious result-The

Nutritive theory-Hofacker's and Sadler's statistics as to effects

ages of parents-Reasons why none of these theories

as the law of sex-M. Girou himself not satis-

can be accepted

fied-Preponderance of passion supposed to be a determining

Destitute of any law of self-adjustment-The Right and

Left Side theory-Tested with animals and found worthless--

THE NATURE OF SEX AND SEXUAL EQUALITY.

Male and female the exception rather than the rule in nature—

plants and animals afford evidence of this-As also do

Each sex the equivalent of the other-Special organs met

with in the higher forms of life-Division of function is the

origin of sex-The propagation of trees and insects-Hetero-

genesis and parthenogenesis amongst moths, polyps, and bees

-Alternate generation-Traditions of a bisexual progenitor in

heathen mythology-The human embryo-The relative im-

portance of the sexes-Man generally considered physically

of women arrested by procreative functions-Female plants less

Superior-Woman only an undeveloped man-The development

highly developed than male-- Development antagonistic to

reproduction-Man's susceptibility to disturbing causes-Con-

tradictory opinions on the original sex of the embryo-Arguments

in favour of female superiority-Females live longer than males,

are less liable to disease--The female amongst animals

generally superior-Law of equilibrium as regards sex-The

sexes throughout creation true equivalents-Plato of this opinion

-Can the sexes be equalized numerically by natural selection?

-Darwin's hesitation on the point-Fertility may be hereditary,

in such a case-Genealogical records contradict the theory.

not the production of a certain sex-No equilibrium possible

51

HEREDITY AND STERILITY,

General resemblance of children to their parents-Galton's statistics

in reference to the transmission of genius-Darwin's remarks on

the subject-The question of generation more important than

that of education-Lord Somerville on the breeding of sheep-

Sir John Sebright's experience in relation to pigeons-Fruitless

marriages-Supposed evil results of consanguinity of parents-

Sterility has a bearing on our subject-Sterility more frequently

relative than absolute-Various instances-Unilateral hybridity

-Its bearing on the law of sex-Sterility from a mistaken

choice in marriage-Cerebral development a check to fecundity

-Antagonism between the nervous and reproductive systems—

Darwin's testimony in support of this-Late marriages the most

prolific-Combe on hereditary transmission-The author's views

on this point-Parental transmission of faculties-Hereditary

gout, consumption, insanity, etc.-Influence of age of parents on

offspring-Darwin on pangenesis-Deterioration of nations-

Vital importance of the law of heredity-Professor Huxley and

Mr. Galton on parental influence-Responsibility of parents for

the health and moral tone of children.

The control of sex within the power of the "superior" parent-

Various elements involved in the term superiority"-Mental

and moral qualities not necessarily included-Cerebral develop-

ment an important factor-Special influence of the nervous

system-Plants receiving an excess of heat are masculine, whilst

more light produces the feminine-The spinal cord in man and

animals-The sun the source of magnetism-Electricity always

circulating in our bodies-The nervous system the conductor of

animal electricity or nervous force-The electric condition of the

human body modified by health and disease-Also by the state

of atmospheric electricity-Electricity disappears with life and

animal heat-May not the nervous force, then, be convertible

with electricity and magnetism?-Positive and negative electricity

or polarity found to exist in the human body-A glimpse of the

great law of sexual equilibrium-The universe in equilibrium-

No theory of sex admissible without some system of balance-

This discovered, the law of sex is revealed-Definition of this law

parent endowed with the greater amount of vital force

determines the sex of the future child-An equality of the sexes

is thus ensured-Influence of the superior germ on the sex of

offspring-The parental likeness instantaneously produced-The

germs of human life dependent upon the physical and mental

state of the parent-The reproductive system influenced by

trouble, suspense, grief, or disease-The superior germ turns the

scale of sex, producing its opposite.

66 SUPERIORITY."

WHAT INDICATES AND DETERMINES

The external, visible marks of "superiority "-At least three or four

qualities necessary to constitute "superiority"—"Superiority"

indicated by the temperament, complexion, will, etc.-Cha-

racteristics of the nervous temperament-The nervous-bilious

temperament defined-Advantages and disadvantages of the

sanguine temperament-The lymphatic temperament-Persons

of this class decidedly "inferior"—Activity an indication of

"superiority"-A well-developed nervous organization "supe-

to all-Complexion-Dark complexions generally "supe-

-The colour of the hair, eyes, and skin in relation to

human temperaments-Fair persons should marry those of red

dark complexions-Will or decision-The result of the

combined influence of several organs-Napoleon a remarkable

example-Will-power favourable to

superiority"-The mus-

system-The nutritive system low in the scale-Weak

digestion often accompanies an active brain-Personal marks of

'superiority"-The head and its indications-The forehead-

Veins-The brow-The eyes-The nose-The mouth and

The teeth-The chin-The face, cheeks, and neck-The

-Activity, physical and mental-Spasmodic and incessant

activity-Attempt to analyse activity-Activity of speech

usually favourable-Also activity of walk-Consideration of the

couples figured in the forty portraits at the end of the work-

factor in the determination of sex-Extreme inequality

favourable to sterility-Bearing of this fact on the origin of

species-Its influence recognised by the late Mr. Darwin-

principle of adjustment elucidated-Individual "superi-

ority" not overruled by heredity, but accounted for

108

VERIFICATION FROM OBSERVED FACTS.

Field of my early investigations-Books and personal observation

and theories-A principle of balance discerned-Glimpses of a

definite guide to the sexes-This hope disappointed by further

facts-The ruling spirit in the household-A governing disposi-

tion an element of "superiority," but not decisive of sex-
x-Facts

indicative of a law of balance-French facts affording strong

evidence in favour of my theory-Gradual approach to the idea

of "superiority"-The theory confirmed by a fact recorded of

the mulattoes of Java-Constantly recurring proofs of the

newly-discovered law of sex-Difficulties removed-Occupations

in their relation to "superiority "-Unhealthy occupations.

conducive to "inferiority "-Injurious effects of stimulants,

producing "inferiority "-Money-making not conducive to

"superiority”—Why musicians have chiefly sons-Great musical

composers an exception-Parental "inferiority" does not imply

mental inferiority-The leading medical men generally "superior"

-Limited statistics only mislead-Change of diet conducive to

(( superiority "The theories in Chap. III. summarised, and

their values assessed-Sex confidently predicted by the new

theory-Clearness and simplicity of my theory.

A UNIVERSAL BALANCE OF SEX THE PROOF OF MY THEORY.

The principle of adjustment-"A stable equilibrium" existing be-

tween the sexes throughout nature-Power of self-adjustment

in the sexes-A slight cause sufficient to determine the sex-Sex

of animals produced at will-Explanation afforded by my newly-

discovered law-Men, in common with animals, affected by

nutrition-Fluctuations in the proportions of the sexes amongst

horses-"Superiority" passes from one sex to the other, through

each successive generation-Strikingly seen in the case of a

single family-And also after an epidemic-Or a great war, as

in France under Napoleon-Different proportions of the sexes

between different countries-Legitimate and illegitimate children,

and polygamous and monogamous unions-Great men have great

mothers-Striking examples cited-The ancestry of great men,

as given by Mr. Galton-Chief causes of the disturbances of the

law of balance—Most great cities show an excess of male births,

but a redundant female population-Enormous excess of women

in the Highlands of Brazil and in Para-Gradual extinction of

negroes in the West Indies-All these facts confirm my theory

-Nature detects the "inferior" parent, and awards the sex of

that parent to the offspring-The comparative morality of a

thus be known-Comparative influence of town and

longevity and sex of offspring-" Mysterious" excess

of female births amongst illegitimate offspring-The mystery

explained by my theory of superior opposites-Marriages between

"inferior" and "superior" races-Sterility of the Lipplappen

after the third generation- Notorious chastity of Jewish women

excess of male children born to the Jews-Result of

M. Girou's researches in accord with my theory-The case of

Horace Greeley-Abraham Lincoln-Longfellow's daughters-

Probable results of marriages between Americans and English

ladies-Between other nationalities.

179

PRACTICAL RESULTS-CONTROL OF SEX.

The subject practically considered-The useful results of its applica-

tion-Its influence on daily life-Its application to the unmarried

power of ensuring sex of offspring-Special directions to

- Ideal home-life Reflex

be followed-- Adaptability of the theory to every class-

Physiological equality desirable--Importance of avoiding great

inequalities-Instances of unequal distribution in families-

Disadvantages arising therefrom-

influence of equality of the sexes in the family-"Superiority"

caused by external influences-Slight causes affect sex of off-

powerful-Easily altered, as instanced by athletes-"Superi-

Sex definitely ensured - Condition and habit all

not to be lowered, but "inferiority" raised-The future

child's interest at stake-How its welfare may be attained-How

to treat excess in the nutritive system-Influence of exercise-

of scene-Occupation-Rest and recreation--Excessive

intellectual work to be given up-Temporary "superiority"—

as to obtaining it-The ideal wife-Her home influence

on her children-Useful lessons drawn and illus-

trated by forty portraits-" Superiority," how attained- Bearing

of physical health on "superiority ""Superiority" practically

within parental control

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