PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE. 367 
Our Theory of Development explains the origin of man 
and the course of his historical development in the only 
natural manner. We see in his gradually ascensive develop- 
ment out of the lower vertebrata, the greatest triumph of 
humanity over the whole of the rest of Nature. We are 
proud of having so immensely outstripped our lower 
animal ancestors, and derive from it the consoling assurance 
that in future also, mankind, as a whole, will follow the 
glorious career of progressive development, and attain a still 
higher degree of mental perfection, When viewed in this 
light, the Theory of Descent as applied to man opens up 
the most encouraging prospects for the future, and frees us 
from all those anxious fears which have been the scarecrows 
of our opponents. 
We can even now foresee with certainty that the com- 
plete victory of our Theory of Development will bear 
immensely rich fruits—fruits which have no equal in the 
whole history of the civilization of mankind. Its first and 
most direct result—the complete reform of Biology—will 
necessarily be followed by a still more important and fruit- 
ful reform of Anthropology. From this new theory of man 
there will be developed a new philosophy, not like most of 
the airy systems of metaphysical speculation hitherto 
prevalent, but one founded upon the solid ground of Com- 
parative Zoology. A beginning of this has already been 
made by the great English philosopher Herbert Spencer. 
Just as this new monistic philosophy first opens up to us 
a true understanding of the real universe, so its appli- 
cation to practical human life must open up a new road 
towards moral perfection. By its aid we shall at last begin 
to raise ourselves out of the state of social barbarism in 
