44 METAMORPHOSES OF MAN 



consumes during the same period not more than six 

 or seven.* Then as old age and the changes which 

 accompany it efface the more marked distinctions 

 between the sexes, the respiration of the female 

 becomes more active, and although it never reaches 

 the height of man ; s r it makes some , approach to it. 

 These strange results afford an argument to those un- 

 courteous physiologists who see in woman but a man 

 whose ; development has been arrested, and who, con- 

 sequently, place her a degree lower in the animal 

 scale. . -. . - .-•' , . ., . • , 



We are far from supposing that the above opinion 

 is correct, but the facts from which it is formed are 

 not the less remarkable on , that account. Here we 

 see that, even when the organism is most complete, 

 an important function is partially arrested and becomes 

 stationary. Therefore this onward movement is not 

 invariably a progressive one. This conclusion is fully 

 borne out by an investigation of Mammalia generally, 

 and of their mental faculties especially. Almost any 

 wild animal 'may be tamed whilst young ; for memory 

 and intelligence are still present, and admit of its being 

 educated to a certain extent. But when fully formed, 

 instinct has the superiority, and the quasi-domesticated 

 animal becomes a savage beast. f Very frequently 



* The above apparent anomaly disappears when we recollect 

 that at this period a new function is established in the female, 

 which in all' probability compensates for the deficient respiratory 

 activity. This view is further borne out by the author's statement 

 that the respiratory energy is increased in after-life. Why ? Be- 

 cause then this peculiar function is not discharged. — Ed. 



t Thanks to the researches of Frederic Cuvier, we know now 

 that almost every animal possesses both instinct and intelligence ; 

 that is to say, its actions are partly the result of reason and partly 



