36 EVOLUTION AND MAN S PLACE IN NATURE 



Darwin and of Wallace. How are new characters 

 transmitted? This opens to view the differences 

 between Darwin and Weismann. Under their dis 

 cussions we are led to consider whether heredity is to 

 be explained on the hypothesis of pangenesis, every 

 part of the living organism of the mature life con 

 tributing to the germ-cell; or on the hypothesis 

 * that germ -plasm has an independent existence pass 

 ing from one generation to another, with compara 

 tively slight modification. 



Through the midst of all these inquiries, yet quite 

 beyond them all, we reach our main problem as to 

 man and his place in Nature. In doing so, we con 

 template the life conspicuously the highest on earth, 

 a life distinguished by the exercise of rational power, 

 thereby leading to achievements unapproachable by 

 the highest animal life existing unintelligible to them 

 all. At this extreme, far removed from the researches 

 just sketched as to cell-movement, we have to ask if 

 it be possible to accept Darwin s view that there is 

 no fundamental difference between man and the 

 higher mammals in their mental faculties. 1 No 

 superficial or partial answer can suffice. We desire 

 to see clearly in what respects man has his inheritance 

 with the animals, and in what respect, if any, he has 

 a faculty whose origin is unexplained by his share in 

 a common heritage of organic life. 



In dealing with the great problem of humanity, no 

 suggestion is made as to the unsuitableness of dis 

 cussions within the regions of comparative anatomy, 

 and physiology, and physico-psychology. All these 

 departments of research are essential to the study of 

 1 The DcKcc ttt of Man, p. 66. 



