the older and honoured chiefs in natural science, many unfortunately
are still opposed to evolution in every form.
In consequence of the views now adopted by most naturalists, and which
will ultimately, as in every other case, be followed by others who are
not scientific, I have been led to put together my notes, so as to see
how far the general conclusions arrived at in my former works were
applicable to man. This seemed all the more desirable, as I had never
deliberately applied these views to a species taken singly. When we
confine our attention to any one form, we are deprived of the weighty
arguments derived from the nature of the affinities which connect
together whole groups of organisms their geographical distribution in
past and present times, and their geological succession. The
homological structure, embryological development, and rudimentary
organs of a species remain to be considered, whether it be man or any
other animal, to which our attention may be directed; but these great
classes of facts afford, as it appears to me, ample and conclusive
evidence in favour of the principle of gradual evolution. The strong
support derived from the other arguments should, however, always be
kept before the mind.
The sole object of this work is to consider, firstly, whether man, like
every other species, is descended from some pre-existing form;
secondly, the manner of his development; and thirdly, the value of the
differences between the so-called races of man. As I shall confine
myself to these points, it will not be necessary to describe in detail
the differences between the several races an enormous subject which has
been fully described in many valuable works. The high antiquity of man
has recently been demonstrated by the labours of a host of eminent men,
beginning with M. Boucher de Perthes; and this is the indispensable
basis for understanding his origin. I shall, therefore, take this
conclusion for granted, and may refer my readers to the admirable
treatises of Sir Charles Lyell, Sir John Lubbock, and others. Nor shall
I have occasion to do more than to allude to the amount of difference
between man and the anthropomorphous apes; for Prof. Huxley, in the
opinion of most competent judges, has conclusively shewn that in every
visible character man differs less from the higher apes, than these do
from the lower members of the same order of Primates.
This work contains hardly any original facts in regard to man; but as
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