{.o The Descent of Man. Part I. 



greater distance in the long line of descent from their earl} semi- 

 human progenitors. 



Various other anomalies in man, more or less analogous to the 

 foregoing, have been advanced by different authors, as cases of 

 reversion; but these seem not a little doubtful, for we have to 

 descend extremely low in the mammalian series, before we find 

 such structures normally present. 41 



In man, the canine teeth are perfectly efficient instruments for 

 mastication. But their true canine character, as Owen 42 re- 

 marks, " is indicated by the conical form of the crown, which 

 " terminates in an obtuse point, is convex outward and flat or 

 " sub-concave within, at the base of which surface there is a 

 feeble prominence. The conical form is best expressed in the 

 " Melanian races, especially the Australian. The canine is more 

 " deeply implanted, and by a stronger fang than the incisors." 

 Nevertheless, this tooth no longer serves man as a special weapon 

 for tearing his enemies or prey ; it may, therefore, as far as its 

 proper function is concerned, be considered as rudimentary. In 

 every large collection of human skulls some may be found, as 

 Hiickel 43 observes, with the canine teeth projecting considerably 

 beyond the others in the same manner as in the anthropomorphous 

 apes, but in a less degree. In these cases, open spaces between 

 the teeth in the one jaw are left for the reception of the canines 

 of the opposite jaw. An interspace of this kind in a Kaffir 

 skull, figured by Wagner, is surprisingly wide. 44 Considering 

 how few are the ancient skulls which have been examined, 

 compared to recent skulls, it is an interesting fact that in at 

 least three cases the canines project largely; and in the Naulette 

 jaw they are spoken of as enormous." 



41 A whole series of cases is given if in any way serviceable, for in- 



by Lsid. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, ' Hist, stance, in shortening and simplifying 



des Anomalies,' torn. iii. p. 437. the course of development ? And 



A reviewer (' Journal of Anat. and again, why should not injurious ab- 



Physiology,' 1871, p. 366) blames normalities, such as atrophied or hy- 



me much for not having discussed pertrophied parts, which have no 



the numerous cases, which have relation to a former state of exist- 



been recorded, of various parts ar- ence, occur at an early period, as 



rested in their development. He well as during maturity ? 

 says that, according to my theory, 42 ' Anatomy of Vertebrates,' vol. 



" every transient condition of an iii. 1368, p. 323. 

 " organ, during its development, is 43 * Generelle Morphologic,' 1S66, 



'* not only a means to an end, but B. ii. s. civ. 



" once was an end in itself." This u Carl Vogt's ' Lectures on Man,' 



does not seem to me necessarily to Eng. translat. 1864, p. 151. 

 hold good. Why should not varia- 45 C. Carter Blake, on a jaw 



tions occur during an early period from La Naulette, ' Anthropolog. 



of development, having no relation Review,' 1867, p. 295. Scbaaff- 



tO reversion; yet such variations hausen. ibid. 1868, p. 426. 

 ivight.be preserved and jccunmUferl, 



