LECTURE XVII. 

 NATURE CROWNED IN MAN. 



1. Differentiation and Integration as Standards of Progress. 

 2. The Probable Phylogeny of Man. 3. Man's Solidarity 

 with the Primate Stock. 4. Man's Unique Position. 5. 

 Factors in the Ascent of Man. 6. Human Evolution Con- 

 trasted with Animal Evolution. 7. In What Sense May It 

 Be Said that Nature Is Crowned in Man? 



1. Differentiation and Integration as Standards of 

 Progress. 



THE genealogical tree of animals is like a great candela- 

 brum, whose branches arise at different levels, but reach 

 at their terminations to approximately equal heights, if 

 height be estimated by elaborateness of structure and cor- 

 relation of function. Except as regards brain, some details 

 of cardiac structure, and the absence of an ante-natal sym- 

 biosis between offspring and mother, the eagle is almost as 

 highly differentiated and integrated as Man. In skeleton, 

 locomotion, breathing system, and eyesight the eagle excels 

 the man, but it is on a different evolution-tack. Similarly, 

 the bee is on its own line hardly inferior; its sensory, nerv- 

 ous, muscular, and respiratory systems reach a very high 

 level. If organic evolution had stopped with insects it would 

 still have been a succession of achievements that angels 

 might desire to look into. The entomologist watches by the 

 most copious fountain of wonder in the world, a well of 

 surprises for eye and intellect. 



Why, then, is it agreed, by learned and simple alike, that 

 545 



