EUGENICS 501 



strongly heterozygous (cross-bred), so that it is very Heterozy- 

 difficult to say, from the life record of an individual, 1*" 

 what kinds of descendants he is likely to have. Since 

 he will be united with another of diverse character, 

 the matter becomes still more complicated. Numerous 

 instances will occur to most people, in which the 

 children, or some of them, differed greatly from ex- 

 pectation based on the appearance of the parents. 



4. Nevertheless, although the word eugenics is rela- Ancient 

 tively new, the thing itself is no more new than appen- eugemcs 

 dicitis. Every one has heard of Spartan methods, 

 crude eugenic efforts dating from remote times. The 

 elimination of the weak has in earlier times and among 

 savage peoples been taken as a matter of course; 

 "but," says Darwin, "we civilized men, on the other 

 hand, do our utmost to check the process of elimina- 

 tion ; we build asylums for the imbecile, the maimed, 



and the sick ; we institute poor-laws ; and our medical 

 men exert their utmost skill to save the life of every one 

 to the last moment." If it is a fact that in such ways 

 undesirable characteristics are perpetuated, and the 

 number of incapable persons is increased, the matter 

 is serious enough. While it may be true that a few 

 individuals of great merit have poor constitutions, it 

 is no less true that multitudes have the inadequate 

 inheritance without the merit. 



5. Although the laws of inheritance have been little Blue blood 

 understood in the past, we are all familiar with the 



idea that some persons belong to especially "good 

 families," and that their descent from able ancestors 

 is a matter for boasting. Heraldry would have little 

 meaning apart from this. Considerations of this sort 

 have always had great weight in reference to marriage, 

 and the desire to unite persons of "blue blood" may 



