24 NATURE OF MAN. 



An exposition of the affinities, homologies, and 

 adaptations of structure throughout the animal king- 

 dom, is a great aim of Philosophical A natomy. And 

 the subject has been long ago pretty successfully 

 worked out — even to the tracing of transitions between 

 invertebrates and vertebrates. But how well made 

 out soever the affinities, homologies, and adaptations 

 of structure may be, their demonstration does not help 

 to confirm the doctrine of Evolution. The question 

 is one beyond the pale of science, and any addition 

 of facts will still fail to fill up the proof. 



If thus we cannot discover sufficient evidence 

 that the lower animals were evolved from each other, 

 we might well abstain from any further discussion of 

 the subject of Evolution. But, in pursuance of my 

 design, I invite you to study with me the Nature of 

 Man ; and in doing so we shall examine the facts and 

 arguments which have been adduced in support of 

 the alleged evolution of the human race from 

 Apes. 



Whilst some minds are quick in detecting differ- 

 ences, others more readily perceive resemblances. It 

 is a great aim with naturalists to detect specific 

 differences so as to add new species to their catalogues ; 

 whereas comparative anatomists seek rather to dis- 

 cover resemblances in structure that they may 

 thereby enlarge the domain of their doctrine of 

 homologies. But as in their eagerness for discovery 

 some persons are prone to draw a distinction without 



