The Natural History Museum Movement 51 
not equal. So with a medium of exchange, and with a 
class distinction of those who possessed, as opposed to 
those who did not possess, we can very readily construct 
an increasing complexity in life. Men became ambitious 
for power, for distinction, for value. Just as an animal 
may quite unsuspectingly over-develop his adaptation in 
reference to his environment so man may have or has 
over-complicated the environment in which he lives. The 
measuring stick of the efficiency of any living form is to 
be calculated on its viability. In spite of all of the 
modifications of rules and regulations of the game of life 
as worked out through thousands of years of experience, 
we are attaining a point in our civilization where our 
self-created environment is becoming so complicated that 
we are threatening to snuff ourselves out. It has hap- 
pened before. It will happen again. We are passing our 
mental peak. We do not study the conditions of the 
past in reference to the present. We do not study the 
conditions of the present in respect to what is to be in 
the future. We assume no responsibilities to our ante- 
eedents. We do not take into account what will become 
of our descendants—if indeed there be such. We chase 
our rainbows of fancy not for the interest and the joy of 
the chase; not that it will bring happiness; or that it will 
better our fellowman, but for the pot of gold which is 
concealed under the far end. ‘And think what this gold 
will buy in terms of political power ; of social distinetion ; 
in ease and pleasure of living. We would buy something 
with it that may keep out of the picture anything pertain- 
ing to a yesterday and anything which considers a 
tomorrow. 
We worship at the most convenient shrine. And we 
recognize service? We all realize the value of whole- 
hearted disinterested service. Indeed we do! How 
