REVIEWS OF RECENT LITERATURE. 
ANTHROPOLOGY. 
Man and his Ancestor. — In an admirable little volume of 238 
pages Mr. Charles Morris has presented the leading facts that go to 
show that man has been the outcome of a development from the 
lower animals. This study in evolution is written in terse and 
untechnical language. It is addressed to “ those who are evolution- 
ists in principle to learn on what grounds their acceptance of this 
phase of evolution stands, and to aid those who are at sea on the 
whole subject of man’s origin to reach some fixed conclusion." The 
clear and logical interpretation of the facts — themselves established 
for the most part beyond controversy — certainly justifies the author's 
hope “that it may carry some doubters to solid land and teach some 
believers the fundamental elements of their faith." In a word, it is 
a well-written “popular treatise ” that deserves to be widely read. 
Two views of the origin of man exist: either he came into exist- 
ence through direct creation, or by development from the lower ani- 
mals. The former mode is not susceptible of proof, the latter is 
supported by our author with facts drawn from both biology and 
anthropology. Some of the principal vestiges of the ancestry of 
man which he carries in his own body are described. Brief mention 
is made of the principal discoveries of human remains and articles 
manufactured by man that have come down to us from prehistoric 
times. Itis to be especially observed that all archaeological evidence 
is cumulative, indicative of constant improvement. The four most 
marked distinctions between man and the lower animals are con- 
sidered at some length. In the chapter upon “the conflict with 
nature " are set forth the prevailing beliefs regarding the time and 
place of man's origin, the influence environment has had upon the 
race, and the traces of ascent discernible in racial differences. 
Notes. — In Vol. X, Nos. 4 and 5, of LZ’ Anthropologie appears a 
valuable article upon polymasty and polythely mms Dr P j. 
Stoyanov presents a number of new cases and reviews the results 
obtained by other investigators. 
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