CHAPTER XV. 



The Evolution of Man. 



However interesting all speculations on origins may 

 be to thinking minds, they shrink in importance to 

 our theories of man's own origin : for the nature of 

 his origin virtually settles the nature of his existence, 

 reveals the purpose of his life, and answers the ever- 

 fateful inquiry of his destiny. 



Preliminary to a detailed statement of man's 

 natural evolution from matter, according to our 

 Materialistic system, we shall clear up a few pre- 

 liminary points. 



i. Man's Substance. — Men, like other animals and 

 vegetals, consist of proteids — albumin, glutin, fibrin, 

 sintonin, etc. — substances not met with in mineral 

 bodies. Decomposed, these proteids resolve them- 

 selves into carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. 

 — primary chemical elements equally common to 

 minerals, vegetals, and animals. Though man, there- 

 fore, in his substance differs secondarily, he does not 

 differ primarily, from either organic or inorganic pro- 

 ducts. He is allied to sticks, stones, and rubbish, 



