186 The Outline of Science 



these concern the social heritage much more than the flesh-and- 

 blood natural inheritance, that we find no difficulty in the idea 

 that evolution is going on in mankind. We know the contrast 

 between modern man and primitive man, and we are convinced 

 that in the past, at least, progress has been a reality. That de- 

 generation may set in is an awful possibility involution rather 

 than evolution but even if going back became for a time the rule, 

 we cannot give up the hope that the race would recover itself and 

 begin afresh to go forward. For although there have been retro- 

 gressions in the history of life, continued through unthinkably 

 long ages, and although great races, the Flying Dragons for 

 instance, have become utterly extinct, leaving no successors what- 

 soever, we feel sure that there has been on the whole a progress 

 towards nobler, more masterful, more emancipated, more intelli- 

 gent, and better forms of life a progress towards what man- 

 kind at its best has always regarded as best, i.e. affording most 

 enduring satisfaction. So we think of evolution going on in 

 mankind, evolution chequered by involution, but on the whole 

 progressive evolution. 



Evolutionary Prospect for Man 



It is not likely that man's body will admit of great change, 

 but there is room for some improvement, e.g. in the superfluous 

 length of the food-canal and the overcrowding of the teeth. It 

 is likely, however, that there will be constitutional changes, e.g. of 

 prolonged youthfulness, a higher standard of healthfulness, and 

 a greater resistance to disease. It is justifiable to look forward 

 to great improvements in intelligence and in control. The poten- 

 tialities of the human brain, as it is, are far from being utilised 

 to the full, and new departures of promise are of continual occur- 

 rence. What is of great importance is that the new departures 

 or variations which emerge in fine children should be fostered, 

 not nipped in the bud, by the social environment, education in- 

 cluded. The evolutionary prospect for man is promising. 



