xv MAN 179 



May not these differences in pigmentation be coupled 

 with and so become in some measure a guide to mental 

 and temperamental characteristics? In the National 

 Portrait Gallery in London the pictures of celebrated men 

 and women are largely grouped according 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 predominate 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 whole it is far scarcer than the light. The 

 facts are suggestive, and it is not impossible that future 

 research may reveal an intimate connection between pecu- 

 liarities 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 aptitude, or 

 is it an instance of general mental ability displayed in a 

 field rendered attractive by early association ? We have 



