The morning call., 1893-05-07
AN AFTERTHOUGHT
That Is What Jordan SAYS
Woman Was.
ProtopIasm Knew Neither Sex Nor
Death-The Woman's Club En-
joys Little Science.

at the eleventh open meeting of the
Woman's Cluo of San Francisco. which was
held yesterday afternoon at the Hotel
Peasanton, the programme consisted of an
address by Professor David 5. Jordan of
Stanford University on THE origin and
significance of sex in its relation to heredity
and evolution"
In opening his remarks the professor
stated that the subject was the most diff
cult and the most fascinating in modern
science. The question of heredity is one
that has been recognized more or less in all
ages. We have a knowledge of it in such
proverbs as like begets like" "a chip of
the old block" etc. Harvey. the physician
who discovered the circulation of the blood,
drew especial attention to the manner in
which physical aud mental attributes are
transmitted. Poets, like Goethe, have sung
Of the subject
at is 10 our double parentage," continued
the professor. that we owe the infinite
variety OF com binatlons that prevents any
two of US being alike. Every child inherts
good and bad from each parent, a DR..
Jekyl and Mr.. Hyde.
"a German scientist has suggested that
every child should have a chart, showing
the moral tendencies of both parents, that
he may know what rocks to steer from
unfortunately, however, this must remain
q theory at least till we have developed
more self honesty. L know il any of my
neghb bors tried TO make chart for me |
would repudiate it instantly"
Starting from the earliest manfes.a-
tions of life on the earth the professor
stated that "all animals and plants spring
from common stUck-Drotoplasm-
physical basis OF life. So far science has
been unable to create this substance aTti-
ficialiy. but it may ultimately succeed in
doing so. The earliest reproduction of life
took place by protOplasms dividing in two.
each half forming separate creature at
tanning its growth and dividing again TO in
finity. There was no youth. old age nor
death. unless sUme accident destroyed the
protoplasm.
at was comparatively an after thought
Of nature that there should be sexes. With
the evolution OF higher and more complex
organism animals had 10 give up immortal
ity. for death IS not necessity OF life. but
Of complex life.
with the formation of compound ami
mais of many cells the law of mutual help
came into existence. The race was no
longer to the swift nor the battle to the
strong, but to those who helped one another.
Creatures were evolved that began to look
after their eggs, and the lower oreaniza-
tions that neglected their offspring faded
out Of existence.
"'ro this fact has been traced the disap-
pearance Of the mammoth reptiles that
existed IN prehistoric ages. In spite of
their size and strength they could not COM
pete with the higher animals that tended
their offspring.
THE higher the animal the more the
female tends her young" pursued the pro-
lessor. "snd IN our modern civilization the
women are not merely those that have
the physical training of children, they tend
more and more to become the environments
OF their physical, mental and moral train
ing"
In conclusion Professor Jordan real q
portion OF Tennyson's princess" the senti-
ments of which he declared to be good,
scientific doctrine"
At the conclusion Of the reading the large
audience of ladies broke into hearty ap-
plause, and the proceedings concluded by
the secretary of the club. Miss 5. Solomons,
proposing vote of thanks to tine lecturer,
which WAS warmly seconded and carried