Sexual Selecti07i 439 



The view here put forward, which has been developed by Prof. Groos\ 

 therefore seems to have Darwin's own sanction. The phenomena are 

 not only biological ; there are psychological elements as well. One 

 can hardly suppose that the female is unconscious of the male's 

 presence ; the final yielding must surely be accompanied by height- 

 ened emotional tone. Whether we call it choice or not is merely a 

 matter of definition of terms. The behaviour is in part determined 

 by supplementary psychological values. Prof. Groos regards the coy- 

 ness of females as " a most efficient means of preventing the too early 

 and too frequent yielding to the sexual impulse-." Be that as it may, 

 it is, in any case, if we grant the facts, a means through which male 

 sexual behaviour with all its biological and psychological implica- 

 tions, is raised to a level otherwise perhaps unattainable by natural 

 means, Avhile in the female it affords opportunities for the develop- 

 ment in the individual and evolution in the race of what we may 

 follow Darwin in calling appreciation, if we empty this word of the 

 aesthetic implications which have gathered round it in the mental 

 life of man. 



Regarded from this standpoint sexual selection, broadly con- 

 sidered, has probably been of great importance. The psychological 

 accompaniments of the pairing situation have profoundly influenced 

 the course of biological evolution and are themselves the outcome of 

 that evolution. 



Darwin makes only passing reference to those modes of behaviour 

 in animals which go by the name of play. " Nothing," he says^, " is 

 more common than for animals to take pleasure in practising what- 

 ever instinct they follow at other times for some real good." This is 

 one of the very numerous cases in which a hint of the master has 

 served to stimulate research in his disciples. It was left to Prof. Groos 

 to develop this subject on evolutionary lines and to elaborate in a 

 masterly manner Darwin's suggestion. " The utility of play," he says*, 

 " is incalculable. This utility consists in the practice and exercise it 

 affords for some of the more important duties of life," — that is to say, 

 for the performance of activities Avhich will in adult life be essential 

 to survival. He urges^ that " the play of young animals has its origin 

 in the fact that certain very important instincts appear at a time 

 when the animal does not seriously need them." It is, however, 

 questionable whether any instincts appear at a time when they are 

 not needed. And it is ([uestionable whether the instinctive and 

 emotional attilnde of the play-fight, to take one example, can be 

 identified with those which accomi)any fighting in earnest, though 



' The Play of Animals, p. 244, London, 1898. » Ibid. p. 283. 



3 Descent of Man, Vol. ii. p. 60; (Popular edit.), p. 566. 

 * The Play of Animals, p. 76. " Ibid. p. 75. 



