2 EVOLUTION AND MAN S PLACE IN NATURE 



be with, the patience of which Darwin set an impres 

 sive example in his observation of lower forms of life. 



In treating of man s position, we regard him as 

 the most conspicuous figure in a thoroughly organised 

 system. It is impossible to contemplate human 

 life as a thing apart or isolated. We must study 

 man as related to the general scheme of Nature. 

 By Nature I mean the whole system of things in 

 the midst of which we pass OUT lives. Nature is 

 often placed in contrast to Man/ and so the term 

 may at times be used here, but in the structure of 

 the main argument Nature includes man and his 

 efforts. In developing the argument, it will be re 

 quisite to include things familiar to all, along with 

 the latest results of scientific research. Only thus 

 can we have a solid basis for extended investigation 

 as to man s place. 



Further, as indicating provisionally the attitude 

 assumed, I hold that no reasonably successful ac 

 count of the universe can be presented, which does 

 not accept the more general conclusions of Darwin, 

 along with results of more recent research, which 

 have at once sustained, and in some degree modified, 

 his theoretic conclusions. Whatever limitations are 

 to be assigned to the theory, we must at least grant 

 that a law of Evolution has had continual application 

 in the world s history. How much is involved under 

 this law may still afford matter for large debate ; 

 nevertheless, it is generally agreed that a more ac 

 curate conception of the history of things has been 

 obtained as the result of the researches in which 

 Charles Darwin and Alfred Kussel Wallace have led 

 the way. 



