LITTLE 3. The extent of mental development in any animal 

 JOURNEYS is in proportion to its infancy or the length of time 



involved in its reaching physical maturity. 

 Waiving Numbers One and Two as of doubtful value, 

 Number Three is Fiske's sole original discovery^ ac- 

 cording to his confession. Further, Huxley quotes 

 Fiske on this theme, and adds, "The delay of adoles- 

 cence and the prolonging of the period of infancy form 

 a subject, as expressed by Mr. Fiske, which is worthy 

 of our most careful consideration." 

 Rare-ripes fall early. John Fiske's name was coupled, 

 as we have seen, with those of Newton and Humboldt. 

 Newton died at eighty-six, Humboldt at ninety. These 

 men developed slowly the hot-house methods were 

 not for them. Fiske at twenty knew more than any of 

 them did at forty. Fiske at twenty-five was a better 

 man mentally and physically than he was at thirty- 

 five. At forty he was refused life insurance because 

 his measurement east and west was out of proportion 

 to his measurement north and south. 

 He used often to sit at his desk for fifteen hours a day, 

 writing and studying. The sedentary habit grew upon 

 him; the vital organs got clogged with adipose tissue. 

 The doctor told him that "his diaphragm was too 

 close to his lungs," a cheerful proposition, well 

 worthy of a small, mouse-colored medicus who dare 

 not risk displeasing a big patient by telling him the 

 truth i. e. that deep breathing and active exercise in 

 the open air can never be replaced through the use of 

 something poured out of a bottle. 

 140 



