118 LIFE OF 



have been covered with hair, both sexes having had 

 beards; their ears were pointed and capable of move- 

 ment ; their bodies were provided with a tail, and the 

 foot was probably prehensile. Our primitive ancestors 

 lived chiefly in trees in some warm forest-clad land, and 

 the males were provided with formidable weapons in the 

 shape of great canine teeth. 



" Thus," says Darwin, " we have given to man a pedi- 

 gree of prodigious length, but not, it may be said, of noble 

 quality. The world, it has been often remarked, appears 

 as if it had long been preparing for the advent of man ; 

 and this, in one sense, is strictly true, for he owes his 

 birth to a long line of progenitors. If any single link in 

 this chain had never existed, man would not have been 

 exactly what he now is. Unless we wilfully close our 

 eyes, we may, with our present knowledge, approximately 

 recognize our parentage; nor need we feel ashamed of 

 it. The most humble organism is something much 

 higher than the inorganic dust under our feet ; and no 

 one with an unbiassed mind can study any living crea- 

 ture, however humble, without being struck with enthu- 

 siasm at its marvellous structure and properties." 



In considering the formation and perpetuation of the 

 races of mankind, Darwin was again and again baffled. 

 He could not decide that any of the physical differences 

 between the races are of direct and special service to 

 him, thus giving opportunity to natural selection to work. 

 Hence he was led to study in detail the effects of sexual 

 selection, especially as applicable to man. The greater 

 part of "The Descent of Man" is occupied with tracing 

 out what may be called the history of courtship in man 



