CHAPTER IX. 



THE EVOLUTION OF A FATHER. 



In last chapter we watched the beautiful experi- 

 ment of Nature making Mothers. We saw how the 

 young produced at one birth were gradually reduced 

 in numbers until it was possible for affection to con- 

 centrate upon a single object; how that object was 

 delayed in birth till it was a likeable and presentable 

 thing ; how it was tied to its mother's side by phys- 

 ical bonds, and hindered there for years to give time 

 for the Mother's care to ripen into love. We saw, 

 what was still more instructive, that Nature, when 

 she had laid the train for perfecting these arrange- 

 ments, gave up making any more animals ; and that 

 there were physiological reasons why this well- 

 mothered class should survive beyond all others, and, 

 by sheer physiological fitness, henceforth dominate 

 the world. 



But there was still a crowning task to accomplish. 

 The world was now beginning to fill with Mothers, 

 but there were no Fathers. During all this long 

 process the Father has not even been named. Noth- 

 ing that has been done has touched or concerned him 

 almost in the least degree. He has gone his own way 



292 



