296 Proofs of Evolution. 



have become perfected for support and locomotion." As 

 these early man-animals went in herds and could utter cries, 

 it is probable they soon learned to warn one another of the 

 approach of danger, and also to express to one another their 

 feelings and desires, which was doubtless the beginning of 

 human speech. 



There are those who, in the pride of intellect and reason, 

 reject with contempt such a lowly origin. They prefer 

 descent from disgraced perfection, rather than a steady 

 ascent through all the lower forms. They accept the belief 

 that their bodies were made out of hand, from a lump of 

 local dust, and that they are to this hour undergoing a 

 penalty of pain and labor for a sin committed by a very 

 distant relative, rather than believe in ascending excellence 

 from the very first. In short, they would rather be fallen 

 angels than risen men. 



On this point Mr. Darwin speaks as follows : " Unless 

 we wilfully close our eyes, we may with our present knowl- 

 edge, approximately recognize our parentage ; nor need we 

 be ashamed of it. The most humble organism is something 

 higher than the inorganic dust under our feet ; and no one 

 with an unbiased mind can study any living creature, how- 

 ever humble, without being struck with enthusiasm at its 

 marvelous structure and properties." Finally, it may be 

 said that man is a product of all the ages, a summary of 

 all evolutionary efforts, an epitome of all preceding life ; he 

 is literally " made up of a little of every creature's best," — 

 the crown and glory of cosmic energy. 



PROOFS FROM EMBRYOLOGY. 



Perhaps the most striking evidence of the truth of Evo- 

 lution is found in the study of Embryology, which is the 

 science of the embryonic cell. Three great stages of growth 

 may here be noted, the cell, the individual, and the tribe. 

 That all organic life has been evolved from primordial germ- 

 <?ells during countless ages, is now the firm position of 

 Science. Even the method and laws of growth have been 

 clearly outlined. The microscopic germ-cell, when first 

 stirred by the energy of life, subdivides, producing two 

 primary germ-layers, — by fission again developing four 

 secondary germ-layers, and so on. These new cells do not 

 entirely separate, but remain in contact. Erom the contin- 

 ual aggregation of cell-forms, all the organs and parts of 



