76 DARWINISM AND THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE 



itself in play, but also to control its environment. 

 It learns to appreciate distances, for instance ; we see 

 the same in our infants who have to learn gradually 

 that the moon, towards which they reach out their 

 little hands, is unattainable. It has even been said 

 that a human infant learns as much in its first year 

 as in all the others put together ; hence the impor- 

 tance of this "experimental play." In this play the 

 psychological factor is the joy of " doing something " ; 

 this is seen most clearly in the destructive tendency 

 of young animals, and in their delight in making a noise. 



When the suppleness of the little one increases, and it 

 has learned to control its own frame, the play of move- 

 ment begins. These serve to give the animal the 

 mobility that it will need in the struggle for life. 

 Naturally, in this play the particular movements will be 

 practised which the animal will find useful later on. 

 The squirrel leaps into the air with the most break-neck 

 springs ; the marten is equally bent on testing its leaping 

 powers. Aquatic animals practise swimming ; animals 

 that live in the air take to flying. Even the buck- 

 jumping of the kid, which seems to be mere reckless 

 delight, has its meaning. On the level ground these 

 leaps are puzzling enough ; but on the mountain, the real 

 home of the goat, it is quite indispensable for reaching 

 the higher rocks. 



With the play of movement is connected the pretence 

 of hunting. The carnivores practise this in order to 

 creep up to and capture their prey ; and the plant-eaters 

 must learn to escape them. Thus the kitten plays with 

 the mouse, and learns, by a method that is repulsive to 



