LIBRARY 



N. C. state College 



PREFACE 



IT seems needless to write a preface to a book which is 

 merely and altogether an introduction, a small book on a 

 great subject. 



We are beginning to appreciate the importance of the story 

 of man's slow and endless ''coming." To select and chronicle 

 a few of the most conspicuous successive stages of his ascent 

 and to sketch their essential characteristics is far from easy. 

 To discover the meaning of the changes and processes involved 

 in his ascent is like searching for buried treasures. Con- 

 densed histories of the growth of the United States during a 

 few centuries fill a dozen or more large volumes. We must at- 

 tempt to compress the whole biological history of animal and 

 human life into one booklet. The attempt seems absurd. 



We will begin by enumerating- the most prominent stages, 

 the land marks, of human evolution, the rise of one function 

 after another to preeminence in the animal body. We will 

 not attempt to construct a genealogical tree of the animal 

 kingdom; but only to note the appearance, advance or cul- 

 mination of organs or powers which gave their possessors 

 marked advantage and temporary or permanent success. 

 We will try to introduce the reader to a few typical familiar 

 forms, which appear to have been stranded near the high- 

 water mark of the tide of life in some long-passed time, and 

 thus make him acquainted with the leading characters or 

 actors of their place and day. We cannot attempt to give a de- 

 tailed description of the anatomy of these unconscious heroes 

 of the great drama; but only to notice their deeds, efforts, 

 struggles and achievements. At best our sketch can be only a 

 rude outline devoid of all shading and of many important fea- 

 tures: we hope that it is true substantially and not misleading. 



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