TO THE LOWER ANIMALS. 123 



twelve, ounces of cerebral substance absolutely, or by 32 : 

 20 relatively ; but as the largest recorded human brain 

 weighed between 65 and 6Q ounces, the former difference 

 is represented by more than 33 ounces absolutely, or by 

 65 : 32 relatively. Regarded systematically, the cerebral 

 differences, of man aud apes, are not of more than generic 

 value — his Family distinction resting chiefiy on his denti- 

 tion, his pelvis, and his lower limbs. 



Thus, whatever system of organs be studied, the compar- 

 ison of their modifications in the ape geries leads to one and 

 the same result — that the structural differences which sep- 

 arate Man from the Gorilla and the Chimpanzee are not 

 so great as those which separate the Gorilla from the 

 lower apes. 



But in enunciating this important truth I must guard 

 myself against a form of misunderstanding, which is very 

 prevalent. I find, in fact, that those who endeavour to 

 teach what nature so clearly shows us in this matter, are 

 liable to have their opinions misrepresented and their 

 phraseology garbled, until they seem to say that the struc- 

 tural differences between man and even the highest apes 

 are small and insignificant. Let me take this opportunity 

 then of distinctly asserting, on the contrary, that they are 

 great and significant ; that every bone of a Gorilla bears 

 marks by which it might be distinguished from the corre- 

 sponding bone of a Man ; and that, in the present crea- 

 tion, at any rate, no intermediate link bridges over the 

 gap between Homo and Troglodytes. 



It would be no less wrong than absurd to deny the ex- 

 istence of this chasm ; but it is at least equally wrong and 

 absurd to exaggerate its magnitude, and, resting on the 

 admitted fact of its existence, ,to refuse to inquire whether 

 it is wide or narrow. Remember, if you will, that there 



