2 THE SEX-COMPLEX 



importance Moreover, no pretence is made of overlooking the facts 

 of the subject. that certa in soc i a i an d legal questions depend closely 

 on the scientific aspects of sex, and that they are now 

 pressing for consideration, elucidation and determination. 

 With national and international struggles going on 

 around us, and with the claims of posterity meeting us 

 at every turn, no one can fail to recognize that the 

 problems of sex and reproduction are urgent and that 

 it is the duty of those working at this subject not only 

 to determine, if possible, the causes of sex and of sex- 

 characteristics, but also to specify the relations and 

 functions of the two sexes under changing circumstances 

 and environments. 



This is the twentieth century ; and, however much we 

 may regret it, we must confess that science admits of no 

 sentimentality or romance. When the veil overhanging 

 the mystery of sex is completely torn aside, no doubt 

 many cherished illusions will be taken from us. Yet 

 somehow we survive unspoilt the ravages of science, 

 and quite impersonally we are able to discuss the cold, 

 hard facts related to our daily life in no uncertain 

 manner ; for, whatever our knowledge of life, death and 

 sex may be, our mental detachment is such that these 

 things apply to all others rather than to ourselves and to 

 those dear to us. Because no longer we believe that the 

 heart is really the seat of the affections — because we 

 do not order analgesics for ' heart-ache ' — are we any less 

 affectionate or immune to jealousy ? So, too, we may 

 believe that, however much we unmask the physical 

 attributes of sex and demonstrate the material qualities 

 of the differences in sex-psydhology, and however much 

 we dissect the complexity of sex, we shall not disturb 

 the sex-instincts of a single normal individual. 

 Reason why It is, indeed, strange that such an apologia should be 

 £^ s necessary in the present day, but, as already stated, 

 I believe it to be so. And in this conviction I am 

 supported by the following statement, written more 

 than thirty years ago (1889) in that fascinating little 

 work The Evolution of Sex, by Professor Geddes and 



