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Carrying the Analysis Back to the Lowly Prehistoric Clam. Laughter is an involuntary physical tion. Hughlings Jackson calls it e of the innumerable epilepsies to which man is subject.” It is apparent ly a universal heritage, though certain causes may operate more powerfully upon one individual than upon another to produce it. In the little child whose sensibilities are uncomplicated by any @otal experience unless they be racial by the shock of delicate touch—tick Lea as we call it—first causes laugh . Why? “the claim of our psychologist carries us a long leap backward to the most _elemental form of animal life. Beyond the savage stands the monkey and firmly far beyond him the mollusk, whose only sense was that of touch. Picture this great-grandfather,of liv ing things lying motionless save for those nervous,fluttering, sensitive feel ers extend. Play the part of sight and hearing: bit of seaweed bumps against them. A spasm racks the mol lusk’s whole being, crushing him into his shell until the surprise has abated; then the fact that no farther attack bollows brings relief. As the germ of the cause of our laughter spasm—a sudden shock, in stantly followed by a feeling of relief. Only such shocks as were followed by relief became racial memories. Where relief did not follow the dam did not live to leave a heritage.—Burges John sson in Harper's Magazine,
Newspaper Details
Lowville Black River Gazette
Lowville, New York, US
Thu, Sep 07, 1916
Page 18
Full Page
Clipped by
Jennie W.
NA, 30 Oct 2025
Other Publications Near Lowville, New York
Lowville Times and Lewis County Independent
Lowville Lewis County Democrat
Lowville Journal and Republican
Lowville Black River Democrat
Lowville Black River Gazette
