398 DIVERSIONS OF A NATURALIST 



strange influence of " maternal impressions " is possible 

 — a matter of comparatively small importance, since the 

 real question is not as to the " possibility " but simply 

 (as in a whole series of beliefs as to more or less improb- 

 able occurrences) whether there is or is not sufficient 

 evidence that the connexion and influence believed in 

 actually exists. Mr. Heape relates (without giving any 

 detailed evidence whatever in support of the conclusion 

 which he accepts) the supposed case of a red " mark " 

 like a lizard found on a new-born child's breast being 

 " produced " by the fall of a lizard from the ceiling (the 

 event happened in China) on to its mother's breast 

 shortly before the child's birth. Another case is that 

 of a woman whose husband was brought home from 

 work with his arm lacerated by machinery. Her child 

 was born soon afterwards, and is stated to have had 

 marks on one arm " similar to " those the mother saw 

 on the corresponding arm of her husband. Another 

 story is that of a lady who had a great craving for 

 raspberries before her child was born, and accordingly 

 bore a child with a red raspberry mark on its 

 body ! 



In no case does Mr. Heape give any picture of the 

 birth-mark and the thing supposed to be represented by 

 it, nor state that he has seen either the mark or a picture 

 of it. In no case is the statement of the mother as to 

 her having been " influenced " as described in the narra- 

 tion, tested or examined in any way. 



These and similar stories are related to-day, and 

 such stories have been related from time immemorial. 

 But they are always " hear-say." The witnesses and 

 the facts are never carefully examined, and the degree 

 of closeness of the agreement between the mark and its 

 supposed cause are never really demonstrated. Nor has 



