THE BRAIN FROM APE TO MAN 



INTRODUCTION 



Relative Importance oj the Braifi as Evolutinjtal Evidence. Its Signijicance 

 Compared with Other Parts oj the Body 



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HE brain is conceded to be the master organ of the body, the 

 regulator of life, the source of human progress. In this 

 capacity how has it contributed to the evolution of mankind? 

 Has it, as some authorities assume, passed through suc- 

 cessive evolutional stages to reach its highest development? 



Both of these questions imply the acceptance of the Evolutionary Theory. 



If this hypothesis be correct, the human brain should prove an important 



witness in its favor. It may be expected to retain conclusive evidence of 



the evolutional process in at least three particulars: 



1. It should manifest signs of its primitive origin from the lowest 

 vertebrates (Fig. i). 



2. It should bear identifying marks of intimate association with animals 

 of its own class, the mammals (Fig. 2). 



3. It should also have many specific details in common with members 

 of the Primate Order to which man belongs, together with lemurs, tarsiers, 

 monkeys and apes (Fig. 3). 



A comparison of the human brain with that of its primate coordinates 

 may thus become of utmost importance by disclosing the exact structural 

 basis of such evolution as has occurred in man from his early prehuman 

 beginnings. 



