272 THE EVOLUTION OF MAN. 



n our older Ape ancestors. Thus it is possible even here, 

 with the help of Comparative Anatomy, to trace this human 

 organ from the similar but more highly-developed organ of 

 the lower Mammals, with certainty. At the same time, Com- 

 parative Physiology shows us that this organ is of more 

 or less high physiological value to the latter, while in 

 Anthropoids and Man it is a useless rudimentary organ. 

 Men with their ears cut off can hear as well as they did 

 before. The conveyance of sound is not affected by the loss 

 of the ear-shell. This explains the great diversity in the 

 form and size of the ear-shell in different persons ; it shares 

 this high degree of variability with other rudimentary 

 organs. 1 ' 5 



