FIFTH DAI'S SITTING 101 



and the brute to which the Duke refers. Apes have existed 

 quite as long as man, but no one of them has ever taken 

 the steps in question, nor, so far as I can see, is ever likely 

 to do so. 



Darwin. "It has often been said," my Lord, " that no 

 animal uses any tool ; but the chimpanzee, in a state of 

 nature, cracks a native fruit, somewhat like a walnut, with 

 a stone." (Vol. i. p. 51.) 



Lord C. If the chimpanzee does so now, he has doubtless 

 done so for thousands of years. How is it that, during all 

 that time, he has not learned to fashion a tool for breaking 

 nuts, and that he cannot supply you with this proof of his 

 possessing mental qualities like those of man ? 



Homo. And how is it, my Lord, that even Mr. Darwin 

 himself cannot 'teach an ape to fashion a tool ? The brute 

 is too obstinate for him. Yet he talks of animals, during 

 the course of ages, progressing in intellect ! Will he 

 undertake to teach an ape or any kind of monkey, or any 

 animal whatever, the use of fire ? 



Lord C. I presume Mr. Darwin will rather decline the 

 task. 



Homo. Why should he, my Lord, if, as he maintains, 

 animals are capable of progressive improvement ? 



Lord G. I shall be glad, however, to know what Mr. 

 Darwin does say on this point — the fact that man alone 

 makes use of fire. 



Homo. He says nothing about it whatever, my Lord — 

 a circumstance which I can account for only by supposing 

 that he is as much afraid of fire, in connection with this 

 subject, as an anthropomorphous ape would be afraid 

 of fire, were it consuming the tree in which it has sought 

 refuge. 



Lord C. Then I must say that Mr. Darwin gives the 



