Hereditary Deformities

Abstract

IN the number of NATURE for Sept. 3, a letter from Mr. William Field appears with the title “Hereditary Deformities,” commenting on certain alleged facts quoted in an ethnological article in Cassell's Popular Educator, from Dr. Theodor Waitz's “Introduction to Anthropology,” translated by Mr. Collingwood. Mr. Field justly remarks that facts of such a character, “if substantiated, would introduce Accidental Distortion as a co-worker with Natural Selection in the modification of species.” But he puts the question— “Do these stories rest on a good foundation?” Personally, I do not know. All I can say is, that Dr. Waitz, whose scientific authority is unimpeachable, published them without expressing any doubts of their accuracy. They may be found with some alleged facts of analogous character, at pp. 83 to 85 of his first volume, as translated by Mr. Collingwood. Speaking of animals, he says:—