68 PRIMEVAL MAN. 



trivance, there had been established an 

 adequate preparation for the change. The 

 loss of speed or of climbing power which is 

 involved in the fore-arms becoming useless for 

 locomotion, could not be incurred with safety 

 until the brain was ready to direct a hand. 

 The foot could not be allowed to part with 

 its prone or prehensile character until the 

 powers of reason and reflection had been pro- 

 vided to justify, as it now explains, the erect 

 position and the upward gaze. And so through 

 all the innumerable modifications of form 

 which are the peculiarities of Man, and which 

 stand in indissoluble union with his capacities 

 of thought. The lowest degree of intelligence 

 which is now possessed by the lowest Savage, 

 is not more than enough to compensate him 



