Chat-, v. Intellectual Faculties. 1 27 



In the next chapter I shall make some few remarks on tho 

 probable steps and means by which the several mental and moral 

 faculties of man have been gradually evolved. That such evolu- 

 tion is at least possible, ought not to be denied, for we daily see 

 these faculties developing in every infant ; and we may trace a 

 perfect gradation from the mind of an utter idiot, lower than 

 that of au animal low in the scale, to the mind of a Newton. 



CHAPTER. V. 



On the Development of the Intellectual and Moral 

 Faculties during Primeval and Civilised Times. 



Advancement of the intellectual powers through natural selection — 

 Importance of imitation — Social and moral faculties — Their develop- 

 ment within the limits of the same tribe — Natural selection as affecting 

 civilised nations — Evidence that civilised nations were once barbarous. 



The subjects to be discussed in this chapter are of the highest 

 interest, but are treated by me in an imperfect and fragmentary 

 manner. Mr. Wallace, in an admirable paper before referred to, 1 

 argues that man, after he had partially acquired those intel- 

 tectual and moral faculties which distinguish him from the 

 lower animals, would have been but little liable to bodily 

 modifications through natural selection or any other means. 

 For man is enabled through his mental faculties " to keep with 

 " an unchanged body in harmony with the changing universe." 

 He has great power of adapting his habits to new conditions of 

 life. He invents weapons, tools, and various stratagems to 

 procure food and to defend himself. When he migrates into a 

 colder climate he uses clothes, builds sheds, and makes fires ; 

 and by the aid of fire cooks food otherwise indigestible. He 

 aids his fellow-men in many ways, and anticipates future events. 

 Even at a remote period he practised some division of labour. 



The lower animals, on the other hand, must have their bodily 

 structure modified in order to survive under greatly changed 

 conditions. They must be rendered stronger, or acquire more 

 effective teeth or claws, for defence against new enemies; or 

 they must be reduced in size, so as to escape detection and 

 danger. When they migrate into a colder climate, they must 

 become clothed with thicker fur, or have their constitutions 

 altered. If they fail to be thus modified, they will cease to 

 exist 



1 'Anthropological Review,' Vay 1864, p. cdvii\ 



