MAN AND APES. 



related to that extinct root-form, which, ac- 

 cording to Mr. Darwin's hypothesis, was the 

 immediate ancestor of man — must exhibit a 

 greater number of structural characters like 

 those of man than any other existing species. 

 The ape, next in affinity, must show the next 

 degree of resemblance, and so on. 

 • If the Gorilla really possesses that excep- 

 tional affinity to man with which it is popu- 

 larly credited, it must exhibit a cluster of 

 structural approximations to man such as are 

 not to be found in any other animal. If, 

 asrain, there should be reason to think that 

 any anatomical peculiarities have special 

 hereditary significance (either from their not 

 being related to habit, or from the organ in 

 which they are found), then such peculiarities 

 should exist in the Gorilla if it deserves the 

 pre-eminence so commonly attributed to it. 



In order to understand the first point to be 

 considered (the Gorilla's zoological position), 

 a few words must be said as to the classifica- 

 tion of animals generally. 



