SEXUAL SELECTION IN RELATION TO MAN 751 



make them still smaller. Lastly, Humboldt thinks that 

 the American Indians prefer coloring their bodies with red 

 paint in order to exaggerate their natural tint; and until 

 recently European women added to their naturally bright 

 colors by rouge and white cosmetics ; but it may be doubted 

 whether barbarous nations have generally had any such 

 intention in painting themselves. 



In the fashions of our own dress we see exactly the same 

 principle and the same desire to carry every point to an ex- 

 treme; we exhibit, also, the same spirit of emulation. But 

 the fashions of savages are far more permanent than ours; 

 and whenever their bodies are artificially modified, this is 

 necessarily the case. The Arab women of the Upper Nile 

 occupy about three days in dressing their hair; they never 

 imitate other tribes, "but simply vie with each other in the 

 superlativeness of their own style." Dr. Wilson, in speak- 

 ing of the compressed skulls of various American races, 

 adds, "such usages are among the least eradicable, and long 

 survive the shock of revolutions that change dynasties and 

 efface more important national peculiarities." " The same 

 principle comes into play in the art of breeding; and we can 

 thus understand, as I have elsewhere explained,'* the won- 

 derful development of the many races of animals and plants 

 which have been kept merely for ornament. Fanciers al- 

 ways wish each character to be somewhat increased; they 

 do not admire a medium standard; they certainly do not 

 desire any great and abrupt change in the character of their 

 breeds; they admire solely what they are accustomed to, 

 but they ardently desire to see each characteristic feature 

 a little more developed. 



The senses of man and of the lower animals seem to be 

 so constituted that brilliant colors and certain forms, as well 

 as harmonious and rhythmical sounds, give pleasure and are 



" "Smithsonian Institution," 1863, p. 289. On the fashions of Arab 

 women, Sir S. Baker, "The Nile Tributaries," 1867, p. 121. 



" "The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication," vol. i. p. 

 214; vol. ii. p. 240. 



