49 
sight (see note by myself on Sight, p. 43). Delicacy 
of hearing. Aptitude to music. Neatness in handicrafts, 
and taste in design. Love of pursuits connected with the 
water: thus the South-Sea Islanders swim well early in 
childhood ; is this really a natural or is it wholly an acquired 
faculty ? Power of path-finding : the stories told of this 
gift are mostly gross exaggerations, but the subject deserves 
careful measurement ; an ingenious traveller having a 
theodolite and skilled in its use could make many experi¬ 
ments, which would give trustworthy results. Power of sus¬ 
taining hunger and thirst. Craving for particular kinds of 
narcotics and drinks. Recuperative power after accidents, 
and strength to withstand severe shocks and mutilations. 
Immunity from, or liability to, particular diseases. Psycho¬ 
logical peculiarities, as :—the inherent gifts of ruling races ; 
the early check of the development of the mind ; excessive 
powers of imagination, as shown in hearing unreal voices, 
seeing fancied apparitions ; also the convulsionary habits of 
wizards, and their hereditary nature. Half-castes deserve 
careful study. It is not easy to suggest beforehand what 
inquiries should be made. The traveller should be ever on 
the watch, and when an appropriate case presents itself to 
his notice, he should investigate it with great care. Those 
who confuse the effects of nature and of nurture, give infor¬ 
mation that is of very little use. The appearance of any 
natural peculiarity among the brothers or sisters of a large 
family, and the proportion of its members who show it in 
varying degrees, is an indirect datum for estimating heredity 
that is often more valuable than direct data. 
F. G. 
No. XX.—CROSSES. 
The principal moot points on this subject have reference 
to either :— 
(a) the fecundity of mongrels, or 
(b) the physical or mental improvement or deterioration 
produced by crossing, or 
E 
