Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1893-02-01
4 QUEER NATURAL
Atavism or tho Torn by Which
It Is Designated.
To Its Workings Are Ascribed the SInGu-
lar Depravity OF Some Children
Strange Freaks OF
Hercdity.

Among the many mysterious forms
and traits in human life and character,
there is nothing more wonderful than
those which CONC from, or arc developed
in what is known as hcrciity or ataviSm.
Hercdity is an old term, the meaning of
which is generally understood. It is IL
word somewhat broad in it's sense and
application.
AtavisIn. says the Detroit Free Press,
is q newer term, and one with a mar
rover significance than that conveyed
by h~crcdity, although it may be con-
GiGcrCd Is one form OF hcrcdity. The
technical expression is sometimes writ
ten also "avitisr," from the Latin
avitus pertaining to an ancestor or an
ccStral). The term usually applies K
scmc strongly developed popularity
or trait in character simply; to q mere
mental II neral force or weakness
which EaGifc3ts itself at irregular in
tcrvals IL particular families. It APP
pears to be governed by no general
laws as have h2cn observed in tho CT
fccts OF hcrcdity II tho physical system.
But it may apply to iniirmitics or dis
cases showing themselves in tic blood
after lapscs OF generations il families.
~lNlcptomania is often q form of
atavisrn. The innate disposition to
iilch. 10 steal &iyly and adro;t!y, is
sometimes Irresistible and incraGicablc
in certain pconfr. It is q faint in their
nature something like the instinct Of
I'll ali!Hal of the lower orders, Il force
difficult II control where nature is al
lo|cd free COURSE The following is an
illC"tr@tiDn Of ataviSm:
"or:o Tcar5 aGo u youth Of intclli-
Gcncc in DIX OF tho very best families of
Z principal citT, youth, who FROM the
force Of necessity had eve known oc-
caGi39 70 "tca! il order to supply his
wants. vc3 accidentally dctc3tcl il the
act CT ri!!1T tho wardrobe Of u friend
whose guest Tie y0unG rIGH : g At the
tins. Ev:GcrcCG subsequently revealed
disclosed the fat that the G1rYc youth
hal been f2r wears engaged il the corr
mission OF similar crimes. HIS petty
r;ifcrirg3 he'd anoutcI III The accrc-
gate to h"ndr%G3 Ct dollars. rnnIiy Of
the things stolen bcirr articles for
viii IL the fellow: had 10 earthly Use.
Investigations into his history betrayed
I'll" fact tha5 one of the y0U3% :.lan'5
a2ccGCoc1 EoUr generations baci; Ua q
noted Chief, the bad blood InauifCSting
ITSELF III this n instance land in this
onc Instance only, 50 iar a3 the records
could be l.1ovn) after the lauso e &cv-
cnty years. This is not only = &trikiaG
illuat"Gticn Cf atavisn. bat the fact
also proves the truth Of the old society
aploriSn that sit takes more thaI TWO
generations to m2kc o gentleman"
a very interesting case ~Oiatavi@m has
been recently discovered III o.c Of orr
large cities. a minister OF greet picty
and retirement in character has =
bright, promiaing son, Who. in defiance
OF all education, in defiance OF both
pTc"cEt and example, has become Il con
frmcd hGhitu2 OF livery stables end
sporting circles. He is a patron Of the
race track particularly. lie has no
moral weakness except in the pcnchaat
to bet on fast horses.
Where did this young man first TO-
celve the touch IL force that led to such
q career? Every element in his train
ing has been in efforts to take him in =
contrary direction from that of L;g
present h"bits. Recently thc discovery
Was made THAI TIC TTcat-mrarGcathcr OF
tho 10Y WIS u breeder Of fnc running
hcrsc%, and that n Of the passions OF
lis life was in betting ut the race
course. This is an c|omplc OF avatism
IL the fourth generation.
harly in this century an inmorn:
woman cn1no TO New York frcn E,lropc.
hAc rniscd u large family OF children,
nearly every one of whom landed in q
prison i'll carly life. The criminal
records OF the country show that three
hundred of the progeny of that woman
hn"' been -' t~oriou& felons and inmatca
q i.~..' - L..