i8 tHE COMING OF MAN 



revolutionized the animal kingdom and marked out a far- 

 stretching line of advance. They alone were not the an- 

 cestors of all higher forms. Others are equally interesting 

 and progressive, one is tempted to say aspiring. Sagitta, the 

 " arrow-worm," could tell an equally fascinating story. Pos- 

 sibly or probably worms superior to both these have disap- 

 peared and left in the rocks no trace of their soft bodies. But 

 several forms of these highest worms were tending and strug- 

 gling and writhing in a very interesting direction. 



Let us choose any one of these highest worms which has 

 the muscular locomotive body with a front end possessing 

 crude visual eyes and good ganglion. Let us imagine him as 

 having a pharynx or muscular lining of the mouth which he 

 can protrude, and that this pharynx is armed with a couple or 

 more of sharp, pointed, claw-like horny teeth. Let us turn 

 such forms, and there are at least some of them still surviv- 

 ing, loose in an ocean swarming with less active unarmed lower 

 worms and coelenterates. They will live like kings and ovm 

 the world. No unarmed form can stand before them. The 

 world of coelenterates and flat worms was one of comparative 

 peace. Two jelly-fishes cannot fight if they would; two an- 

 nelids might, and their descendants will. The struggle of 

 brute with brute for supremacy has begun or is near at hand. 

 Only the most vigorous, tough, athletic, vigilant and wary 

 can hope for success. The worms are entering or approach- 

 ing this arena and the gladiatorial shows will continue for 

 millions of years. Something magnificent must surely come 

 of it. Even if we are descended from worms, they were 

 glorious worms! 



