THE ERA OF HELPLESSNESS 61 



of the other three hands to tighten and readjust its 

 grip. With the frequent natural repetitions of 

 such incidents, it seems not at all improbable that 

 an occasional coincidence might induce the lifting 

 of a stick and striking of an accidental blow. There- 

 fore would the two-footed brute not, but the ape 

 might, be taught the use of sticks, in the natural 

 course of events. 



As to missiles, it should be further observed, that 

 apes are almost continually among the branches of 

 trees, where fruits and nuts grow and where dead 

 branches occur, and that, therefore, it cannot be a 

 rare experience for these creatures to observe a 

 fruit, nut, or dead branch break off and fall to the 

 ground. Occasionally a fruit or nut, singled out 

 or seized by one, may drop, or a branch which is 

 held may break. Then, if the falling object happens 

 to strike a creature below, that is a lesson in the 

 effect produced by missiles. Actions done ordi- 

 narily for a purpose are sometimes playfully re- 

 peated without a purpose. So fruits and nuts 

 may be plucked playfully and with no purpose of 

 eating them, and then dropped. This might teach 

 how fruits and nuts can be used for missiles. Some- 

 times a fruit or nut after being plucked may prove 

 unsatisfactory, and then the ape may throw it away 

 in anger. Whether the thing so thrown away 

 strikes another creature or not, it is very likely to 

 teach a lesson in the effect of missiles. It follows, 

 therefore, that accidents and incidents of frequent 



