244 INBEEEBING AND OUTBREEDING 



correct statistical answer to tlie problem is clear if one 

 works back from the answer given by the research on 

 heredity: '* Inbreeding is not in itself harmful; whatever 

 effect it may have is due wholly to the inheritance re- 

 ceived.'^ It is not to be wondered, therefore, that exami- 

 nation of the pedigree record of one family led to one 

 conclusion, and of another family to exactly the opposite. 



Nothing has been mentioned about the effect of cross- 

 ing in the human race, whether such crosses be narrow or 

 wide. Such a discussion belongs more properly in the 

 concluding chapter as it concerns the race more than the 

 individual. Physically outcrossing may often be of value 

 to the individual, but there are reasons to be discussed 

 later for not generalizing hastily in the matter. What we 

 wish to say in conclusion here refers still to inbreeding. 

 It is this : 



Owing to the existence of serious recessive traits there 

 is objection to indiscriminate, irrational, intensive inbreed- 

 ing in man ; yet inbreeding is the surest means of estab- 

 lishing families which as a whole are of high value to the 

 community. On the other hand, owing to the complex 

 nature of the mental traits of the highest type, the bright- 

 est examples of inherent ability have come and will come 

 from chance mating in the general population, the com- 

 mon people so-called, because of the variability there 

 existent. There can be no permanent aristocracy of 

 brains, because families, no matter how inbred, will re- 

 main variable while in existence and will persist but a 

 comparatively short time as close-bred strains. But he is 

 a trifler with little thought of his duty to the state or to 

 himself, who, having ability as a personal endowment, 

 does not scan with care the genealogical record of the 

 family into which he enters. 



