34 MYTH AND SCIENCE. 



and explains the errors and illusions of the senses ; so 

 that the truly rational man issues, like the foetus 

 from its embryonic covering, out of its primitive 

 mythical covering into the light of truth. 



Every one must perceive that the study of the 

 origin of myths has an important hearing on the 

 clear and positive knowledge of mankind. In modern 

 times biological science, such as ethnography and 

 anthropology, have not only thrown much light on 

 the genesis of organic bodies, of animals and of man, 

 but they have afforded very important aid to psycho- 

 logical research, on account of the close connection 

 between psychology and the general physical laws 

 of the world. The mythical faculty in man, and its 

 results, have received much light from these sciences, 

 riince the modifications induced in individuals and in 

 peoples by many natural causes, organic or clhnato- 

 logical, are based upon their physiological conditions. 

 In the first chapters of Herbert Spencer's book on 

 Sociology, there is a masterly investigation into 

 the changes produced by climate, with its accidents 

 and organic products, on the peculiar temperament 

 of different peoples and races, and we must refer our 

 readers to his admirable summary. 



AYe avail ourselves of the aid afforded by all these 

 branches of science in order to comprehend the true 

 nature of man, and the place which he really occupies 

 in the animal creation. Man should be estimated 

 as all other products and phenomena of nature are 



