166 DAKWmiSM STATED BY DARWIN HIMSELF. 



of reflection) that the anthropomorphous apes are now 

 actually in an intermediate condition ; and no one doubts 

 that they are on the whole well adapted for their condi- 

 tions of life. Thus the gorilla runs with a sidelong, 

 shambling gait, but more commonly progresses by resting 

 on its bent hands. The long-armed apes occasionally use 

 their arms like crutches, swinging their bodies forward 

 between them, and some kinds of Hylobates, without 

 haTing been taught, can walk or run upright with toler- 

 able quickness ; yet they move awkwardly, and much less 

 securely than man. We see, in short, in existing monk- 

 eys a manner of progression intermediate between that 

 of a quadruped and a biped ; but, as an unprejudiced 

 judge insists, the anthropomorphous apes approach in 

 structure more nearly to the bipedal than to the quad- 

 rupedal type. 



As the progenitors of man became more and more 

 erect, with their hands and arms more and more modified 

 for prehension and other purposes, with their feet and legs 

 at the same time transformed for firm support and pro- 

 gression, endless other changes of structure would have 

 become necessary. The pelvis would have to be broad- 

 ened, the spine peculiarly curved, and the head fixed in 

 an altered position, all which changes have been attained 

 by iaan. 



The free use of the arms and hands, partly 

 ^ ■ the cause and partly the result of man's erect 

 position, appears to have led in an indirect manner to 

 other modifications of structure. The early male fore- 

 fathers of man were, as previously stated, probably fur- 

 nished with great canine teeth ; but, as they gradually 

 acquired the habit of using stones, clubs, or other weap- 

 ons, for fighting with their enemies or rivals, they would 



