Page:The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis II 1921 2.djvu/13

 PRIMITIVE MAN AND ENVIRONMENT 169

our starting point we shall see how the attitude ol mankind to environment is determined both by ontogenetic and phylogenetic factors and again how these two lines of evolution react upon each other. The normal human attitude towards caves classes these as uncanny objects which are attractive and repulsive at the same time. We know through prehistoric research that primeval man, where opportunity presented itself, was frequently a cave dweller, and it seems probable that he had to contend for the possession of these caves with other cave-dwelling species such as the cave- bear cave-lion, etc.^ Even to-day the Bushmen and Australians show a certain predilection for caves and their cave paintings are very similar to those of the prehistoric European troglodytes.* In Australia we also find legends about supernatural beings who in ancient times lived in caves whilst at present their habitat is transfered to heaven.' It is perhaps not too bold to refer these myths as well as the European belief in the Sleeping Hero in the Hill, the Fairy of the Mound, the elves and dwarfs as well as giants, to the troglodyte life of a former generation.* But to my mind this habit of living in caves remains still to be explained. Of course there are rational reasons for seeking protection in these natural strongholds, but we can hardly look upon primitive man as a sort of theoretical strategian who first discovered these advantages and then, acting on the plan conceived, proclaimed war on the cave-dwelling animals. It is far more probable that he only discovered these advantages when he had already become

> C/. Avebury: Prehistoric Times, 1900, pp. 212, 318; M. Moszkowski. Vom Wirtschaftsleben der primitiven VSlker, 1911, S.21; E. Ratzel: Anthropo- geographie, 1909, I, S. 298, 11, S» 272.

« Cf. Sollas: Ancient Hunters and their Modern Representatives, 1901; G G. Stow: The Native Races of South Africa, 1906, pp. 6, 13, 25, 32, 98. 101, 122, 131, 171. 184, 188, 192, 195, 201, 203, 230, 232, 453. "The tenacity with which isolated survivors of once powerful tribes of these Bushmen stuck to their old caves is astonishing. They preferred to linger out their^ lives in abject misery so long as they could remain in their neighbourhood." op. cit, p. 228; J. Mathew; Eaglehawk, and Crow, 1899, p. 125.

» G. Grey: Journals of Two Expeditions to North and Western Australia, 1841, I, p. 261; R. H. Mathews: Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of New South Wales and Victoria, 1905, p. 140; A, W. Howjtt: Native Tribes of South East Australia, 1904, p. 480.

these mythical beings were derived. Compare the views of D. Mc. Ritchie (The Testimony of Tradition, 1890), who certainly advocates this point ot view far too exclusively, -1
 * But of course this does not mean that this was theuniquesource from which