i 4 4 PHYSICAL BASIS OF CIVILIZATION 



The long, sharp claws, great protruding jaws, 

 long dirk-like incisors of the lion, his powerful 

 muscles and frame, the shaggy mane protecting 

 his front — these appearances indicate what kind 

 of conduct may be expected from such a creature. 

 The long, slender legs, graceful body, and large 

 eyes do the same for the character of the deer. 

 The long and mobile ears, low body, muscular 

 haunches, show the character of the rabbit or hare ; 

 and so on, almost through the whole range of animal 

 life. 



It could not be otherwise, for if those outward 

 organs on which creatures depend for their reactions 

 with the external world did not correspond with 

 their character, which determines the nature of 

 these reactions, then such animals could not adapt 

 themselves to their environment long enough to 

 live to maturity. Such types would die out in 

 remarkably short time. 



Nor can the visible organs be without considerable 

 influence on the formation of character. For the 

 possession of physical adaptations, such as the 

 visible organs are, undoubtedly leads brutes to 

 make use of them. Use causes the formation of 

 corresponding habits of conduct. Habits of con- 

 duct are the essential constituents of character. 

 See Chap. Ill, page 76. To this extent, at least, do 

 the visible organs contribute to the formation of 

 character. 



To apply the above mentioned principle safely to 





