290 DARWINISM STATED BY DARWIN HIMSELF. 



communicate, by language to his children and others, the 

 knowledge of the kinds of food to be avoided, he would 

 have little occasion to use the faculty of voluntary rejec- 

 tion ; so that this power would tend to be lost through 

 disuse. 



SHRUGGING THE SHOULDERS. 



Expression "We may now inquire why men in all parts 



tions, " °f the world, when they feel — whether or not 

 page 271. they wish to show this feeling — that they can- 

 not or will not do something, or will not resist something 

 if done by another, shrug their shoulders, at the same time 

 often bending in their elbows, showing the palms of their 

 hands with extended fingers, often throwing their heads 

 a little on one side, raising their eyebrows, and opening 

 their mouths. These states of the mind are either simply 

 passive, or show a determination not to act. None of the 

 above movements are of the least service. The explana- 

 tion lies, I can not doubt, in the principle of unconscious 

 antithesis. This principle here seems to come into play as 

 clearly as in the case of a dog, who, when feeling savage, 

 puts himself in the proper attitude for attacking and for 

 making himself appear terrible to his enemy ; but, as soon 

 as he feels affectionate, throws his whole body into a di- 

 rectly opposite attitude, though this is of no direct use 

 to him. 



Let it be observed how an indignant man who resents 

 and will not submit to some injury holds his head erect, 

 squares his shoulders, and exj)ands his chest. He often 

 clinches his fists, and puts one or both arms in the proper 

 position for attack or defense, with the muscles of his 

 limbs rigid. He frowns — that is, he contracts and low- 

 ers his brows — and, being determined, closes his mouth. 



