232 GENERAL EVOLUTION. 



even appears to me probable that the organic functions in general 

 have had the same origin.* While these latter have mostly long 

 since passed beyond the control of the mind, portions of the uro- 

 genital functions still linger within the confines of its jurisdiction. 

 Thus have consciousness and mind endowed living nature with 

 useful functions ; and this, which may be called the Theory of 

 Endoiument, accounts for the element of design which is so puz- 

 zling when seen in unconscious and reflex acts. 



As it has been maintained above, that structure is the effect of 

 the control over matter exercised by mind, it is evident that the 

 evolution of mind must be directly followed by corresponding de- 

 velopment of organism. The science of paleontology substantiates 

 this theory in a wonderful manner. But the animal mind being 

 generally occupied with simple functions, its expressions in struct- 

 ure are usually nothing more than the progressive creation of im- 

 proved instruments for obtaining food, resisting climate, escaping 

 enemies, and reproducing their kind. The struggles of animals 

 have been seen on this j^latform, and mind has only been necessary 

 to aid in accomplishing the ends above mentioned. AYonderfully 

 effective machines for grinding, cutting, seizing, and digging ; for 

 running, swimming, and flying have been produced. The develop- 

 ment of mind proper must appear in the size and structure of the 

 brain ; and though the history of the latter in past ages must 

 always remain, in large part, hidden from us, it is known that in 

 the former respect there has been great progress made in various 

 lines of animals. Now the line which has carried brain to its pres- 

 ent development in man, the Quadrumana, has been deficient in 

 special mechanical excellencies of the kind enumerated above. 

 Perhaps primitive inferiority in these many respects has kept the 

 Quadrumana under greater mental tension, and compelled them 

 to exercise caution in their acts, and give that opportunity to 

 thought which was less demanded in the case of other animals. 

 Furthermore, if they are less specialized in their mechanism than 

 most other Mammalia, they are less restricted by it to peculiar 

 modes of life. They are more versatile, and more capable of the 

 adoption of new habits as a consequence. And here we have a 

 glimpse of a most important principle in evolution, which is the 

 keynote to its method ; this is what I have called the The Doctrine 

 of the Unspecialized. 



* " Consciousness in Evolution." " Penn Monthly," 1875. 



