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This address to the Indian Psycho-analytical Society enunciates a hypothetical theory of the psychological evolution of the human species through instinct repression and socialization in response to environmental pressure. In the pre-glacial epoch a paradisaical environment without vital struggle for existence permitted a hard life with free instinctual gratification. The hardships of the glacial period caused restrictions in response to hunget and the ego's dread of starvation and of being eaten. Sexual and excretory activities were controlled, pregnancies fewer and lactation longer. The Horde age followed, dominated by the Primal Father, permitting father and daughter incest and restricting the sexuality of younger males through dread of being eaten by the father. Cannibalism was now associated with the sexual urge and the blood of defloration instead of with nutrition. In the early post-glacial epoch the rebellion of the sons and killing of the Primal Father led, it is suggested, to frequent orgies of cannibalism, aggressiveness, jealousy and lust in association with periods of heat in females, which threatened the species with destruction. This necessitated the evolution of more stabilized bands, homosexual associations, sexual taboos, incest laws, marriage customs, etc. It is suggested that restriction of copulation during heat brought about the condition of menstruation.