NATURE'S EARMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 51, 11 October 1907, Page 3

NATURE'S EARMARKS.

[By "W.B."]

I do not say that it is right —ethically right—to gratuitously study our fellow man ; it is the why that justifies or condemns the act. If it be for mere gratification of amusement only, it may be permissible, but as amusements must be paid for, our study takes the form of a commercial transaction, and it is fair that our subject should share in the profits accruing from such study. But if it is for public utility, and that its neglect would imperil the communal safety, it becomes an imperative duty, no matter at what hazard, and irrespective of moral or social traditions, to prosecute that study and publish the result. This has been done by scientists and reformers in all ages, and it is on the result of their findings that many desirable innovations are based; for instance : A certain Russian anthropologist has discovered that the human ear is a reliable index of character. Upon further investigation he was able to formulate as an invariable law, that, in the human species, large ears, standing out from the head at practically right angles, as that of the bat, or monkey, denote ignorance, rapacity, cruelty, mental callosity, and every degrading appetite of man ; and is confirmed in his deductions by the fact, that it is a feature common to bestial creation.

I have selected ear prominence for an illustration, because it supports my own observation. Therefore, if this law be correct, it is obviously permissible to study the ears of our fellow man, especially of those we may come into contact with in business engagements, and carefully note the result. Fortunately, this oddity is rare ; it may also be the effect of accident; but in such a case it will not be an index of .character, because science declares that an accidental malformation is only hereditable if it confers superior advantage over its fellow competitor in the struggle for existence, iwhen Evolution steps in and by this preponderance of lability pronounces it the fittest to survive, and thus varies the species. Now Nature with her vast store of compensations has so arranged the lives of her creatures that each species shall form itself into a community, and—excepting the right to knock the other fellow down and grab his sweetheart, or pouch his kai—has decreed that it shall live an internal peace with its fellows. This rule we find verified throughout creation; and the only rebel who refuses to conform to the beneficent ordainment, unless hedged with unbreakable restrictions, is Man. And the more he pretends a civilisation, the more refined are his methods to obtain the other's sweetheart, and the largest share of fine raiment and Kai. Hence it is good to have some token whereby to detect the rascal; so Nature has earmarked him for readier identification with such abnormal ears, and their horrific lateral extension, that when illuminated with a strong backlight as, say, the sun, seem carven out of of ruby glass; ears with a spread of such generous expansion, that to see them gently wave and fan their owner's face would seem to be their proper function, and cause no shock to the beholder. And if the ears be affixed to a head plated with a sardonic face, with a cruel mouth, you have a concatenation _of presentments which may well give pause to the reflective citizen in search of rarities; and thereby learn the lesson that Mother Nature is never so merciless but that if she fashion some ravenous monstrosities, she; also stamps them with indeljble designs by which the innocent may take prescient warning and elude their incredible voracity. Pardon me if I remind you- not to laugh : this is no matter for hilarious merriment. For the cursory observer notes no discrepancies between shark and minnow ; he philanders on his sunny way breathing through his mouth, guiding his dolce far niente life by a handrail which he calls his intuitions ; and believes all things in a loose uncritical credulity. These are the prey sharks " Jerry Bricky " and " Jerry Builder " lie graciously in wait for, and smoodge with charming platitudes until they lay in the proper attitude for a comfortable bite. Thus: when his " cheap " house, built by " smart chap you know," and all its scampish defects made righteous by the anathema breathing painter, fails of its pretensions ; and his small head swells until he thinks himself a roaring lion, when he is nothing but a very small dog, dragging a large tin by a weary aching tail. Then, ah me! Thus endeth the first lesson!

On Sunday last the train, which left Te Kuiti for Auckland shortly after noon, did a smart run. Notwithstanding the fact of having to steam at reduced speed to Otorohanga, the train arrived at the city at 6 O'clock, which is well up to the average time of the express under ordinary conditions.