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DARWINISM AND THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE 



enchant their squaws? Certainly not. They want to 

 strike terror into a lurking foe, and they intoxicate 

 themselves with their own power. The latter is the 

 psychological element that enters into the dances of 

 animals, and sets them to "games." As a fact, 

 means of frightening and intimidating play a great part 

 in all fights. Think of the war-cry of the Indians, our 

 own " Hurrah," the terrific painting of the skins of 

 savages, and the military moustache. It was this that 

 gave the French warriors their fierce appearance in the 

 later Middle Ages, and played a great part in the 

 Thirty Years' War. It does really give a fiercer 

 expression to the face, because it draws up the lips at 

 the corners of the mouth, over the canine teeth ; and, 

 to compare human with animal features, we may recall 

 the projecting teeth that were also used for intimidation. 

 The martial moustache has been retained in the daring 

 Hungarian cavalry. But however it may suit soldiers, 

 it does not become the civilian, in whom it forms a 

 ridiculous contrast to the otherwise modest and funereal 

 appearance. 



In the instances we have given, therefore, it is a 

 question of selection of the apparently stronger. I 

 believe that this explains the origin of a good many 

 masculine characteristics. It may be asked how far my 

 theory is supported by observation. Certainly, many 

 facts can be quoted in favour of it, such as the well- 

 known one that a young black-cock dances very gently 

 and stealthily when an older one is about. 



An intimidating conduct on the part of the male will 

 have an effect on the female ; it will not only keep away 



