THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF MAN 269 
which means that, until we are clearly sure of what 
constitutes a hereditary criminal trait, we should 
move very slowly in the matter of mutilating crim- 
inals. 
What steps may the eugenist, with his present 
limited knowledge, clearly, hopefully and confidently 
take to improve the future of the human species? 
There is one avenue open to us in this matter in 
which we can hardly go wrong. Even our mistakes 
can work little harm, and every well-done piece of 
work in this field will be a blessing to the race. This 
step lies in inculcating in our boys and girls high 
ideals of parenthood. This is more effective than 
legal prohibition of certain forms of marriage which 
cannot prevent matings, and adds the curse of illegiti- 
macy to the other handicaps of the children of such 
unions. The first step in this process has already 
been reasonably well accomplished. Both our boys 
and our girls are in love with health. A good hus- 
band and a good wife should be healthy and vigorous. 
This does not mean that we expect a boy or girl who 
is looking forward to marriage to sit down and ask 
himself deliberately about the health of the person 
with whom he would mate. We must fill our chil- 
dren with the love of outdoor life, with the love of 
exercise. This will foster in them an admiration for 
people who are vigorous of body and alert of mind. 
