12 



HKASOXS FOR PROLONGED (\\HK OF OFFSPRING. 



One reason is found in their helplessness in their dependence upon their 

 parents for food, shelter, warmth, and training. Contrast the independence 

 of the survivors of the million eggs spawned by a female cod with the 

 f<K'hleness of newly born kittens, to which the- mother cat devotes her whole 

 attention for days sifter birth. Their blind helplessness seems strange; for 

 si full-grown cat is possessed of a greater amount of intelligence than the 

 Isirgest of codfish. Nevertheless, the cat's care of her kittens does not persist 

 over a long period, neither does it ripen into pareiitsil love. 



Proverbial, too. as is the parental devotion of birds, once a brood can fly 

 the family life concludes. Even the most devoted canine mother will quickly 

 forget her own puppies and greet them with si snarl soon after they are 

 independent of her care. Pathetic, too. as is the grief of ;\ chimpanzee over 

 the death of her offspring, which often remain two years with their parents, 

 recognition after prolonged sibseiice is unusual. Bit by bit. however, the fact 

 becomes apparent that, the more helpless the offspring at birth, the more 

 exacting the care it demands, the more enduring is family life, the greater 

 is parental love; until among human beings both persist throughout life. 



Reference to one further point of interest may be fitly made at this 

 point that, just in proportion as sinimals when full grown show intelligence, 



so sire they the re helpless sit birth: while those which sire self-supporting 



from the date of hatching remain throughout their lives sit practically the 

 same level of intelligence. Briefly, in the one case there is capacity to 

 progress; in the other there is none. 



SO.MK KKSCI.TS OF PAKKXTAI. ('ARK. 



The reason for the relsition of the number of offspring to the degree of 

 parental care will be now esisily perceived. It hsis been alresidy pointed out 

 that, in order to preserve their species, fish must spawn enormous numbers 

 of eggs; but in the case of frogs, where the germs of paternal instinct can 



