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man had the power of moving his ears much in the same way that the 

 horse and many other animals now have, and this opinion is 

 strengthened by the fact that some few human beings still possess a 

 slight power over these muscles and can give a little movement to 

 their ears either backwards or forwards, and also that here and there 

 the internal folds of the ear present a point which looks very like 

 having been the apex of the ear when it assumed a somewhat different 

 form from that which it now takes. Now supposing for the moment 

 that what I am about to say is worth hearing (a supposition which I 

 personally cannot make), it might, considering my weak voice, be an 

 advantage to you if these rudimentary muscles in your ears were in a 

 more developed state, so that you might convert your ears into a 

 trumpet shape and turn them in the direction of my voice. Of course 

 I exclude all ladies present froin any such suggestion, as nothing could 

 possibly compensate them for the disfigurement which would be occa- 

 sioned by such an use of their ears. 



The fact I have just mentioned is a natural introduction to the 

 subject upon which I am allowed the privilege of talking to you for 

 ten minutes this evening — that subject is Evolution, and the fact I 

 have stated is one of those used by the advocates of evolution in 

 support of their theory. There is no disguising the fact that the 

 theory of evolution is one full of difficulties, but it is much more full 

 of prejudices, and probably the subject is one about which more is 

 said without the speaker knowing exactly what he is talking about, 

 than upon any other subject which just now is taking up public atten- 

 tion. It is, however, not my intention in the short space allotted to 

 me here to attempt to set forth all the theory of evolution, indeed, I 

 am not competent so to do, not having devoted sufficient time to its 

 stud}-, and probably not having the skill if I had the time to unravel 

 its mysteries and give anything like a clear and understandable ex- 

 position of the system. I have a much more modest end in view, 

 namely, to notice three of its main doctrines, to glance at some of the 

 uses which are being made of the system by some of its advocates, 

 and to draw a practical conclusion therefrom, having a bearing upon 

 the Society which has invited you here this evening. 



But before doing this allow me distinctly to say that I do not in- 

 tend to give any opinion whatever upon the truth or otherwise of 

 evolution, it would be presumptuous in me to attempt such a thing. I 



