The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-15
DARwINISM IN THE NURSERY.

To the scientist there is nothing in any de
partment of nature that is invested with
sacredness. Like Mr.. Gradgrind, he is only
anxious to get at the facts, and if in his pur-
suit of facts he finds it necessary 10 tear
asunder the most beautiful illusions which
the Imagination or the affections have woven,
he does so with a relentless sternness that has
all the effect of heartlessness.
If there was one thing in the world which
the scientist was expected TO treat with a soft
ness that amounted almost to indifference TO
the truth. it was the baby. especially the baby
which had not been long enoughin this life to
recognize its own mother. What is more help
less than this little creature. and what is more
calculated to disarm every hard and sinister
feeling in the breast? A baby calls up in the
mind OF the average man thoughts Of tender
ness alone, or at the least. OF commiseratlon.
1t is only the Gradgrinds Of society who can
consider this mite of humanity in q purely
scientific light.
A distinguished physician OF London has
recently announced to the world that he has
discovered in the extraordinary power Of the
fexor muscles of the forearms of babies q
confirmation Of the Darwinian theory that
man is the descendant Of the ape. The habit
which the youngest baby has OF curling it
little fingers around the fingers of its mothers
hand is not an indication OF its instructive and
unconscious affection for her, but simply an
involuntary disposition inherited from its
monkey projenitors, who from birth were
compelled 10 cling to the limbs OF the trees
IN order TO maintain themselves in their lofty
position.
Or. Robinson gives some extraordinary in
stances of the power of the hexor muscle IN
babies. He states that ne has made expert
ments with one hundred and fifty babies,
some only an hour old. none over two days,
and in two cases only have they failed to
cling to the branch thrust into their little
hands, and with 50 much tenacity that in
several instances they remained suspended in
the air for two or three minutes. and in only
one instance were the fingers relaxed under
ten seconds.
Dr.. Robinson calls attention to the fact that
an infant always slaps with its open hand
after the manner OF q Young guerrilla, that
Is, in q way which would enable It to bring its
claws to bear directly if the human race
had not long ago lost this physical feature
from comparative disuse.
Some surprise is expressed by Dr.. Robinson
that Mr.. Darwin overlooked the strong evil
dence to be advanced in support Of. his theory
in these clinging and %slapping habits Of
babies, but if the truth were known that dis
tingulshed scientist stood too much in awe of
the mother Of his children to seek to explain
their most endearing traits on the score of
their descent from monkeys. DR.. Robinson
is a man of a more resolute character. and ap-
pears 20 have made his own babies the Chief
objects of his experiments in the laws Of
physical heredity.
If he shall at any time in the future visit
this city we would recommend that he as
sumo another name. The baby is an angel in
Richmond. and whoever seeks to place him
upon a level with the monkey had better
keep clear of this locally.