The Facts of Life.

This article presents information about the book "The Facts of Life," by C.D. Darling. The facts in this book are the complex processes of reproduction and heredity. Its theme is that all aspects of life are bound up with these processes and with the notions which people have about them. Its motive power is the author's conviction that an appreciation of modern knowledge in these areas is lacking among those who deal with "the great problems of society-- of education, of medicine, of crime and punishment, of marriage and divorce, of the relations of races and classes and, taking a long view, of evolution." He is convinced that, instead, ancient and modern superstitions dominate sociological thought; and that, therefore, a need exists to tell men the facts mentioned in the book. More than one half of the book is given to a history of thought and experiment on reproduction, evolution and heredity. In the second large section of the book, "Man and Woman," the main intention of the author is fulfilled. It is asserted that genetic determination of man for the totality of his traits is the basic fact of life. "Heredity does determine the hormone system, and the hormone system does control growths temperament and intelligence."