440 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1962 



We could reflect that nothing in the whole range of biological and 

 paleontological study shows anything to equal the insect in its per- 

 sistence and its potential complement of characteristics, which would 

 seem to assure its continued progress even if the experiment of the 

 human species would prove eventually to be misuccessful. We are 

 reasonably certain from the past and present that the insect will persist 

 and probably increase its position of dominance in the world. Can we 

 predict the same for man? Will it be possible for man to become 

 humane with man in time to solve the problems which face him? 

 Will his intelligence lead to adaptive survival or destruction ? 



Can intelligence solve such problems as the rapidly mcreasing popu- 

 lations of the world with its many and diversified facets, the depletion 

 of farm lands, the decreasing supplies of natural resources, the de- 

 struction of the wild populations of pollinating insects and the natural 

 enemies of insects, the failure and diminution of more and more of 

 our promising insecticides, the increasing ravaging of crops, and 

 the increasing spread by modern travel of insect-borne diseases of 

 man ? Can intelligence cope with and solve the international political 

 situation, especially when this is linked with increasing stockpiles of 

 bigger and more deadly bombs and missiles for human destruction? 

 If it cannot, the insect may eventually win and eliminate man from 

 its world, and Dr. W. J. Holland's prophecy that — ". . . the last 

 living thing on the globe will be some active insect sitting on a dead 

 lichen which will represent the last of the life of the plants" may be 

 fulfilled. 



