Note 1624 — Chapter XII · THE SEXUAL SELECTION OF MAN: TYPICAL BEAUTY

Mr. Wallace, in his ‘Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection’ (p. 359), believes that ‘a superior intelligence has guided the development of man in a definite direction,’ and considers (pp. 348, et seq.) that the hairless condition of the skin comes under this head. Again, Mr. Belt’s experience in tropical countries has led him to the conclusion that, in such parts at least, there is one serious drawback to the advantage of having the skin covered with hair:—‘It affords cover for parasitical insects, which, if the skin were naked, might more easily be got rid of’ (Belt, loc. cit. p. 209).