National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-11-01

Popular Science Monthly for Novemberl
Heridity Is especially noticeable In the
continuity Of physiological and pathological
conditions. 1t Is very clearly evident In the
expression and features Of the physiognomy.
This was observed by tho anclents; hence the
Romans had their Nasoncs, Labeons, Buc-
cones, Capitoncs, etc., Diagnosed, thick
Tipped, swollen checked, big-hendcd) OF all
the features probably the nose is the best pre-
served by hercdity; the Bourbon nose Is
famous. IIerldity also manifests itself by
fecundity and longevity. In the old French
noblesse there were several families which
possessed provocative yigor. Anne dc Mont
morcncy, who at the age Of over sixty-nye
years could still, at the battle of st. Dennis,
smash with his teeth the sword Of q Scotch
soldier who was giving him tho death.blow,
was the father Of twelve children. Three Of
his ancestors, Matthew l., Matthew II. aud
Matthew Ill, taken altogether, had eighteen,
and of these fifteen were boys. The son and
grandson Of the great Condo had nineteen
between them, and their grcat-grandfather
who lost his life at Jarnac, had ten. The
first four Guises reckoncd In all forty three
children, of whom thirty were boys. Achillc
| dc Harley had ninc children, his father ten,
| and his great-grandfathc eighteen. In some
families this fecundity endured through Ave
or six generations.
The average length Of life depends on local
ity, diet, stage Of civilization, but individual
| longevity appears TO be completely freed
| from these conditions, 1t Is observed among
those who lead tho most laborious lives, as
well as among thosc who take tho greatest
care Of their health and It seems to DO con-
ncctcd with some inncr power OF vitality
| transmitted to individuals from their fore
| fathers. So well known Is this fact that, In
a
| from their agent statements as TO the longev-
| ity of the applicants ancestors. In Turgots
| family the age Of fity-nine was very rarely
exceeded, and the man who made that family
| illustrious had prescntimcnt as soon as he
had reached fifty, that the close Of his life
was not distant. Albeit he had the appear
| ances OF good health and of great vigor of
temperament, still from that time forward hc
| held himself ready for death. and, In fact, did
die at the age Of fifty-three.
Heridity often transmits muscular strength
and sundry other motor activities. In ancient
times there were families Of athletes, and the
English have families OF boxers. The recent
researches of Mr.. Gallon, as to wrestlers and
| oarsmen, show that the winners In tho con-
tests In which these men engage generally
belong to a few families In which agility and
dexteTity are hereditary. Suppleness and
grace arc also transmitted, as Is shown In the
case Of the celebrated Vestris family. The
same Is 10 be said with regard to various
peculiarities Of voice, such rs stammerlng
nasality, and lisping. There are several fam
lilies who arc naturally singers. Children
born of babbling parents arc themselves bah
bleTs by blrthright. DR.. Lucas cites the case
of a servant-mald whose loquacity knew no
bounds. She would talk to people till they
were ready to faint but she would also talk
TO animals and innnimatc things. Even when
she was quite alone she talked TO herself
aloud. She had to be discharged but" says
she to her master, ~ am not to blame; It all
comes from my father. He had the same
iault, and drove my mother TO distractions
nd bis father was just Us l am"