THE ERA OF HELPLESSNESS 53 



if they have survival value, increase from generation 

 to generation by natural selection. See Appendix, 

 Note IV. 



The above argument, however, does, of course, 

 not apply to non-essentials, that is to say, not to 

 changes in structures or functions which only 

 slightly affect the co-operative harmony of the 

 organism and its chances of survival. 



Referring to the assumption mentioned in the 

 last two paragraphs on page 47, it cannot be denied 

 that a two-footed upright brute is organically better 

 fitted than the quadrumana are for the clever use of 

 clubs and missiles, and if creatures so fitted have the 

 intelligence to comprehend how, when, where, and 

 with what effect these appliances can be used, then 

 they are well prepared for the struggle for existence 

 with living antagonists, though in other ways badly 

 disadvantaged. 



Brutes quickly learn the benefits of those means 

 of offense and defense which nature has supplied to 

 their bodies. But to teach them the use of artificial 

 appliances requires either a developed hereditary 

 instinct, or long training joined to a high degree of 

 intelligence. Could the two-footed upright brute 

 from the beginning have reasoned out the advan- 

 tages of sticks and missiles and the manner of hand- 

 ling them? 



This question implies a degree of intelligence 

 utterly unthinkable in the case of these primitive 

 brutes. Only by being repeatedly put through the 



