82 THE DESCENT OF MAN. [Part L 



ries, and consider the evidence derived from their affinities 

 or classification, their geographical distribution, and geo- 

 logical succession. It is only our natural prejudice, and 

 that arrogance which made our forefathers declare that 

 they were descended from demi-gods, which lead us to 

 demur to this conclusion. But the time will before long 

 come when it will be thought wonderful that naturalists, 

 who were well acquainted with the comparative structure 

 and development of man and other mammals, should have 

 believed that each was the work of a separate act of crea- 

 tion. 



