132 SOCIAL HEREDITY AND SOCIAL EVOLUTION 



a matter of interest, both to the males and females, 

 who unite in defending them. Among the highest of 

 the primates, the apes, the evidence in our posses- 

 sion at present is a little uncertain, but such facts 

 as we have indicate that a true monogamic relation 

 is commonly developed. The individuals associate 

 in pairs beyond a doubt. It is claimed by some that 

 the father takes an interest in the young similar to 

 that of the mother. If this is true, it is the only in- 

 stance among mammals, outside of man, where this 

 occurs. Certainly, the sexes remain in a quite per- 

 manent association, the offspring remaining with 

 them for some time. This is the closest approxima- 

 tion to family life, such as is found among man, that 

 occurs among the mammals outside of the human 

 race. 



The Origin of the Human Family 



The organization of family relations is practi- 

 cally universal among men. The human family dif- 

 fers from similar relations among animals in at 

 least three salient features : 1. The human family is 

 always more or less lasting, at all events, more per- 

 manent than the animal unions. 2. In the human 

 family the bond of union is an interest in the off- 

 spring, whereas among all lower animals, except 

 some birds, the bond of union is sexual passion. 3. 

 In the human family a large factor is the desire for 

 a household and the possession of property. Animals 

 have no foresight and no notion of property. With 

 man this idea has been a very important factor, con- 

 tributing to the permanent union of individuals to 

 form the family. 



There is still more or less difference of opinion as 



