70 PRIMEVAL MAN. 



J. Lubbock's theory is, that in these Savages 

 we see something rather above than under 

 the primitive condition of Mankind. But it 

 may be safely said that a very small 

 diminution of mental capacity below that of 

 an Australian Savage, would render Man's 

 characteristic structure incompatible with the 

 maintenance of his existence in most, if not 

 in all, of the countries where he is actually 

 found. If that frame was once more bestial, 

 it may have been better adapted for a bestial 

 existence. But it is impossible to conceive 

 how it could ever have emerged from that 

 existence by virtue of Natural Selection. Man 

 must have had human proportions of mind 

 before he could afford to lose bestial pro- 

 portions of body. If the change in mental 



