Page:Memoir upon the formation of a deaf variety of the human race (microform) (IA cihm 08831).pdf/24

THE FORMATION OF A DEAF VARIETY OF THE HUMAN RACE 19 I would also suggest that, wherever possible, the names of the husbands and wives of the pupils should be given, and the fact recorded as to whether they belong families containing more than one deaf-mute or not. This is important even in the case of marriage with a hearing person, for in most of the cases of such marriages that have come under my personal observation the hearing partner belonged to a family containing deaf-mutes.

However imperfect may be the records of the marriages of the deaf it is abundantly evident, (1) that there is a tendency among deaf-mutes to select deaf-mutes as their partners in marriage; (2) that this tendency has been continuously exhibited during the past forty or fifty years, and (3) that therefore there is every probability that the selection of the deaf by the deaf in marriage will continue in the future.

It is evident, then, that we have here to consider, not an ephemeral phenomenon, but a case of continuous selection. For instance, should it appear that there are in this country any considerable number of deaf-mutes who are themselves the offspring of deaf-mutes the indications are that a large proportion of these persons will marry, and that of those who marry, the majority will marry deaf-mutes. Thus, there is every indication that in the case of the deaf and dumb the work of selection will go on from generation to generation.