ABSTRACT
Arithmetical ability is one of the capacities that cannot be explained by any process of development due to the struggle for existence, or to sexual selection. Yet, the arithmetical talent seems to be a special faculty of the human mind. Though all normal children can be taught to count, some learn quickly, others slowly. Some men take a delight in working out arithmetical problems, others have a distaste for them ; and it often happens that those who are very skilful in solving such problems have no unusual ability for anything else.
