Man in the Light of Evolution 



through successive stages, added to the muscu- 

 lar system, strengthening and shaping our legs, 

 arms, and hands. Only man attained the full, 

 free, and complete use of the fingers. The place 

 and role of the muscular system in the evolution 

 of the race and in the development of the indi- 

 vidual has never been properly appreciated or 

 ^ emphasized. It is the strategic center of all evo- 

 \ lution and education up to the last and highest 

 stage. 



But the evolution of this system changes its 

 direction somewhat from stage to stage. The 

 old trunk muscles are heavy, fitted only for 

 crude, rough, hard work. The successive addi- 

 tions are continually hghter, finer, fitted for 

 more complex, precise, and higher actions. 

 More and more nervous energy is required for 

 their use and control. Muscles of speech and 

 of facial expression, so characteristic of man, find 

 their main use in manifesting thought and feel- 

 ing. Mind has very gradually been mastering 

 and permeating the nervous system, and through 

 it the whole body. The final goal of physical 

 evolution is evidently not the biggest body with 

 the heaviest muscles, but the one which shall be 

 the best and most complete expression of the 



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