338 EVOLUTION AND MAN S PLACE IN NATURE 



consciousness, thereby discovering the powers of a 

 rational life. It cannot include the functions of 

 organism, not even of nerves and brain. The contrast 

 between these modes of knowing, points to contrast 

 in the phases of existence known. Nature includes 

 both ; yet Evolution of the higher from the lower, 

 the mental from the physical, is impossible. 



The significance of Evolution becomes more con 

 spicuous, when its natural limits are clearly recognised. 

 The progress of organic life is thereby seen in its 

 unity. Its beginnings, its development, and its con 

 summation, are taken together, showing the coher 

 ence of organic existence on the earth. Biology is a 

 natural history of organic life in the Avorld, from its 

 first appearance till now. This history began, as 

 Darwin suggested, in primordial forms of the lowest 

 order ; it closes in the marvellous elaboration of the 

 human organism, the most wonderful combination of 

 physical structure and function which Nature contains. 

 The natural history of organic life finds its inter 

 pretation in the induction as to Evolution which has 

 made its lasting impression on our age. 



The Rational Life of Man stands out to view on an 

 eminence completely severed from this scheme of 

 organic evolution. As an animal life a type of 

 physical existence human life is fitted into the 

 system of organic life on the earth. As a rational 

 life a type of spiritual existence human life is 

 exalted above all life besides, severed from companion 

 ship of animals. Man is a member of an intelligent 

 order, possessing kinship with all rational beings, 

 wherever such may dwell, who together constitute a 

 spiritual kingdom &quot;within creation. As the result of 



