CHAP. VI.] MAN. 181 



estimate I have formed of man s position differs therefore 

 most widely from that of Mr. Darwin. 



Mr. Darwin says :* &quot; We must admit that there is a much 

 wider interval in mental power between one of the lowest 

 fishes, as a lamprey or a lancelet, and one of the higher apes, 

 than between an ape and man ; yet this immense interval is 

 filled up by numberless gradations.&quot; This I cannot admit, 

 since I believe the assertion to be absolutely false. In 

 rny view the &quot; immense interval &quot; is between the ape and, 

 the man. 



Mr. Darwin supports his view by the analogy of certain 

 insects which, though zoologically allied, differ Mr. Darwin s 



, . , -, , ., , remarks as to 



enormously in the development oi their instincts, inaeots. 

 He says : 



&quot; Some naturalists, from being deeply impressed with the mental 

 and spiritual power of man, have divided the whole organic world 

 into three kingdoms, the Human, the Animal, and the Vegetable, thus 

 giving to man a separate kingdom. Spiritual powers cannot be com 

 pared or classed by the naturalist ; but he may endeavour to show, as 

 I have done, that the mental faculties of man and the lower animals 

 do not differ in kind, althoiigh immensely in degree.. A difference in 

 degree, however great, does not justify us in placing man in a distinct 

 kingdom, as will perhaps be best illustrated by comparing the mental 

 powers of two insects, namely, a coccus or scale insect and an ant, 

 which undoubtedly belong to the same class. The difference is here 

 greater, though of a somewhat different kind, than that between man 

 and the highest mammal. The female coccus, whilst young, attaches 

 itself by its proboscis to a plant ; sucks the sap but never moves 

 again ; is fertilised and lays eggs ; and this is its whole history. On 

 the other hand, ants communicate information to each other, and 

 several unite for the same work, or games of play. They recognize 

 their fellow-ants after months of absence. They build great edifices, 

 keep them clean, close the doors in the evening, and post sentries. 

 They make roads and even tunnels under rivers. They collect food 

 for the community, and when an object, too large for entrance, is 

 brought to the nest, they enlarge the door, and afterwards build it up 

 again. They go out to battle in regular bands, and freely sacrifice 

 their lives for the common weal. They emigrate in accordance with 

 a preconcerted plan. They capture slaves. They keep aphides as 



* Descent of Man,* vol. i. p. 35, 



