| BRAIN GHOWTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 47, 6 February 1880, Page 3

BRAIN GHOWTH.

Dr Crichton Browned paper, '' TV - Influence of Domestic ition on Brain Growth," pea£ttf£Cl2] e <^ t^sK3] Physiology— lieotidiM of <tne-^Bi«i ida Association, is an important contribution'to the science and literature of development. By a series of observations made with ofctrOme cure, the author shows that tfee duck has suffered in brain development by being domestidated. While other animals have been domesticated for special qualities inherent in their nature as animals, the duck represents a class of crea'nres in which the instincts and uses of the organism nave been suspended by the change in condition. The duck has been, so to say, taken wholly out of its place in nature, and reduced to the level of food by a process. and under circum*stances which supersede all its natural propensities. "Food has been copiously supplied, and of a kind richer and more nutritious than could have been accessible in a feral state* Shelter has been provided, and the bird hae been compelled to live in a temperature higher than that to which it was accustomed in a tfcate of nature. Competition has been made unnecessary^ ; jand; protection has been afforded against a host of enemies. Flight has been prevented, and locomotion circumscribed as much as possible. In short, the life of the duck has been rendered tranquil, luxurious, and indolent. Its whole duty has been live and grow fat, and to multiply and replenish the pond. Few calls have been made on its intelligence. It has not had its' senses and instincts whetted by the necessity to range, afar jn quest of^fqod. tp eschew ev^t l r|ct|m|g da^gSrU Tliti; has not hail its* energies evoked by a free existence. It has been dragged down by domes' ication to a lower physical level." The author might have added that it has been wholly demoralised and debased to the lowest depths of filth as a feeder. The brain has lapsed in process of time as a result of the absence of stimuli Dr Crichton Browne, starting from this striking illustration of the effects of the "surroundings" on envelopment, and noting the cumulative force of heredity, applies some of the obyious inferences from the fa'e:s he has detailed to the development or retrogression of the brain in different races or groups or families of men. "To fare sumptuously every day. to bask in luxury and idleness, is to court decay of the noblest oi the tis» sues, for moth and rust doth corrupt even the greatest of man's treasures — his intellect — when it is laid by in ÜBelessueßs and lavender, and thieves will surely break through and steal away his brains unless they are zealously guarded and diligently exer* cised." This is a practical point of the highest value and moment, and one that cannot be too strongly or constantly expounded, 'ihe brain grows by use individually and racially. If it is not habitually employed, in a class or family, it will sink into subordinate , importance, The mo^al) of; the expressed is v s'elfevideht>-London Lancet.