11 



THE FIRST EVIDENCES OF PARENTAL CARE. 



At first, parental care is concerned only with the care of unhatched eggs. 

 Among insects a few females give signs of some instinct for the safety of 

 their eggs, whereas it is an interesting fact that among fish such protection 

 is more frequently extended to the eggs by the male parent. It is shown 

 usually by some device for carrying the eggs, corresponding to that of the 

 female lobster, which secretes a glutinous substance on her swimmerets to 

 which the eggs adhere. 



THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF PARENTAL CARE. 



A further step in the care of their offspring is shown by the selection. 

 and among higher types of life by the preparation, of a particular spot for 

 the concealment of their eggs. Spiders weave delicate, cocoon cradles for 

 this purpose; while some moths utilize a special supply of fur to cover their 

 eggs. There are reptiles, also, which enfold air-bubbles and make a raft of 

 slime upon which to support them. 



Domed Rectangular Tent. (Assyrian. 



Hut of Interlaced Boughs. 



Ill all its earlier phases this care is purely instinctive and does not 

 continue after the eggs are hatched. Oalltlies, for instance, show great 

 skill in depositing their eggs in the living tissue of leaf or stem, exactly 

 suited to the protection and. later, to the nutrition of their young, but do 

 not watch the result of this care. Again, the male sticklehat guards his 

 nest with great courage, but gives no indication of any sense of responsibility 

 once his offspring is hatched. Indeed, these are practically self-supporting 

 from that date. 



THE DAWN OF PARENTAL AFFECTION. 



A further stage of parental care namely, its continuance after birth 

 is illustrated by bees, the complicated construction of whose nurseries is a 

 byword. A similar instinct is probably responsible for the varied forms and 

 exquisite skill lavished by birds on the building of their nests, or prompts 

 the rabbit or the prairie-dog to prepare burrows in the earth, warm and 

 cosy, for the reception of their families. Such care continues, often at the 

 cost of much self-sacrifice, for days, weeks, and even months after the young 

 are born; until among mankind this instinct of care expands into human 

 and lifelong affection. 



