48 
into superior forms and structure. The next rocks above, called 
the Tertiary, bring us near the surface. The deposition of these 
rocks took place during great changes in the animal kingdom. 
The gradual development of the Mammalia in the ascending 
scale brings us through various stages to the lowest organized 
Monkey or Lemur. These animals differ from the Monkey (or 
Simiada) in several particulars, one of which is the undeveloped 
finger nail. This four-handed creature had on its two hind hands 
(or feet) four fairly developed fingers with proper nails, but the 
first finger in each hand had still remaining the claw of a bird. 
Higher still we arrive at the better developed Monkey, with proper 
feet and hands; and further on in the scale we come to the 
highly developed tailess Apes, the Gibbon, the Orang-Outang, 
the Chimpanzee, and Gorilla. These Anthropoids or Quad- 
rumana approach nearest to Man in the ascending development 
of the animal kingdom, and according to the highest authorities 
have doubtless diverged from the same stem or stock from which 
Bimana or Man originated. Mr. Nutter observed in conclusion 
that he had hurriedly ascended through 130,000 feet of rock 
formation, and glanced briefly at the continuous stream of 
improving and transitional forms of animal life therein contaimed 
in fossil state. In the lowest rocks we find no trace of highly 
organized forms. But on ascending we are continually reminded 
of the varying and branching tendency of each species; the 
increasing varieties, &c. One strong reason for a belief in the 
Theory of Evolution is derived from the fact of the persistency 
of each type in clinging to all improving forms of structure, and 
the tendency to throw off, or allow to become useless, or even to 
perish, any organ of the body that is rendered unserviceable by a 
change of habit or conditions. Although thousands of species 
and varieties have perished in the earth’s history and Jeft no 
perfect fossil form, yet there is sufficient evidence to all who 
have carefully examined the book of rocks to prove tnat from the 
first simple cell at the dawn of life up to the highest ape, and 
onward to the most intelligent man or the most beautiful woman 
of the Caucasian race, there has been a gradual improvement in 
form and structure and also of intelligence. The great gulf 
between the highest Ape and the lowest uncivilized barbarian is 
often urged as a valid reason against the Theory of Evolution. 
A careful and unbiased consideration of this part of the question 
I presume will lead anyone into a more favourable opinion of the 
theory. Huxley states that ‘‘ Man in all parts of his organiza- 
tion differs less from the highest Apes than these do from the 
lowest members of the same group.” From a close scrutiny of 
the writings of Darwin, Hackel, Huxley, Marsh, Wilson, Galton, 
and even Mivart and Dawson, Mr. Nutter said he was satisfied 
that the continuous and increasing stream of life, in ever chang- 
