XVII 



MAN 207 



ing to the vocations in which they have succeeded. 

 The observant will probably have noticed that there 

 is a tendency for a given type of eye-colour to pre- 

 dominate in some of the larger groups. It is rare 

 to find anything but a blue among the soldiers and 

 sailors, while among the actors, preachers, and 

 orators the dark eye is predominant, although for 

 the population as a w^hole it is far scarcer than the 

 light. The facts are suggestive, and it is not im- 

 possible that future research may reveal an intimate 

 connection between peculiarities of pigmentation and 

 peculiarities of mind. 



The inheritance of mental characters is often 

 elusive, for it is frequently difficult to appraise the 

 effects of early environment in determining a man's 

 bent. That ability can be transmitted there is no 

 doubt, for this is borne out by general experience, 

 as well as by the numerous cases of able families 

 brought together by Galton and others. But when 

 we come to inquire more precisely what it is that is 

 transmitted we are baffled. A distinguished son 

 follows in the footsteps of a distinguished father. Is 

 this due to the inheritance of a particular mental apti- 

 tude, or is it an instance of general mental ability 

 displayed in a field rendered attractive by early 

 association ? We have at present very little definite 

 evidence for supposing that what appear to be 

 special forms of ability may be due to specific 

 factors. Hurst, indeed, has brought forward some 

 facts which suggest that musical sense sometimes 

 behaves as a recessive character, and it is likely 

 that the study of some clean-cut faculty such as the 

 mathematical one w^ould yield interesting results. 



