The Descent of Man

that they become first impressed on the mental
organization through habit, instruction and
example, continued during several generations
in the same family, and in a quite subordinate
degree, or not at all, by the individuals possessing
such virtues having succeeded best in the
struggle for life. My chief source of doubt with
respect to any such inheritance, is that senseless
customs, superstitions, and tastes, such as the
horror of a Hindoo for unclean food, ought on
the same principle to be transmitted. I have not
met with any evidence in support of the transmission
of superstitious customs or senseless
habits, although in itself it is perhaps not less
probable than that animals should acquire inherited
tastes for certain kinds of food or fear of
certain foes.
Finally the social instincts, which no doubt were
acquired by man as by the lower animals for
the good of the community, will from the first
have given to him some wish to aid his fellows,