ORGANIC EVOLUTION — PHYSICAL 53 



development of the individual, as for instance the horns 

 of deer and the beards of men, must have appeared late 

 in the evolution of the species. The young hornless deer 

 and the young beardless man should therefore corre- 

 spond to very recent stages in the evolution of their 

 respective species. Whence if there is any truth in my 

 theory of retrogression by atavism, it follows that com- 

 paratively hornless deer and comparatively beardless 

 men ought to be comparatively frequent, for the ancestor 

 reverted to would in either case be comparatively recent. 

 As regards the beard, we know that comparatively 

 beardless men are common in a well-bearded race such 

 as the Anglo-Saxon. As regards the horns of deer I 

 cannot speak with authority, not having sufficient know- 

 ledge, but I doubt not that others who have had better 

 opportunities for observation will confirm my conclusion 

 in this matter. I think it will be found, for example, 

 that comparatively hornless deer are much more common 

 than comparatively hairless animals of the species. 



