260 EVOLUTION AND MAN S PLACE IN NATURE 



with some precision what the new life was which 

 appeared in the later times, though at an indefinitely 

 remote period from our own age, when rational power 

 took its place, introducing a new factor into evolu 

 tion. 



The conception of a self-regulated life stands in 

 contrast with animal life, even with the animal life 

 belonging to man himself. This contrast, if clearly 

 developed, will present the first stage in our representa 

 tion of rational life. A development of the negative 

 side of evidence will enable us to trace one of Nature s 

 boundary lines, helpful towards adequate survey of 

 the wide territory of biology. Organism is ruled by 

 sensibility, and ultimately by environment; rational 

 life is ruled by neither. This difference breaks the 

 biological continuity. A theory of evolution here 

 encounters criticism of a kind altogether different 

 from anything directed against it at an earlier stage. 



The representation of animal life has been placed 

 before us with considerable amplitude in course of 

 the preceding investigations. The general interest 

 awakened by repeated restatement and extended 

 illustration of Darwin s observations, has made the 

 public mind familiar with the fixed conditions of 

 animal life. This proves a special assistance now, in 

 attempting to trace the lines which sever all animals 

 from man. There is here some compensation for the 

 disadvantages just mentioned. The marvels of the 

 process of organic growth baffle conception ; the 

 conditions of subsistence and of activity lie open to 

 observation/and are generally recognised. Sensory 

 nerves, brain, and motor nerves are the common 

 possessions of organism. All organic activity is the 



