Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1893 — According to Circumstances. [ARTICLE]

According to Circumstances.

It is a noted fact in natural history that in tracing the development of any species it is found that that which has, through environment, been unused for many generatiens gradually disappears. As, for instance, as given by a naturalist, the erect ear of the natives of the forest. By domestication dogs finally lost the necessity for extreme alertness, and the muscles used in erecting the ear finally became powerless. Dentists will tell you that originally man had several more teeth, but that with civilization and consequent change of food their necessity was gone, and they gradually disappeared, the jaw finally shortening in proportion. So it is with individuals. Mental muscles, as well as physical ones, will become flaccid and useless unless kept in repair by exercises. To be at our best, we must exercise every faculty in reason.