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The Eighth Lesson: The Ascent of Man.833
organized and come very near to being a “connecting-link” between other
forms. One of the Lemurs is what is known as the colugo, or “flying lemur,”
which resembles a squirrel in many particulars, and yet has a membranous
web extending from its hands, which enables it to make flying leaps over
great distances. This last named variety seems to furnish a link between the
insect-feeders and the Primates;
The Primates, which is a large family comprising the various forms of
monkeys, baboons, man-apes, such as the gibbon, gorilla, chimpanzee,
orang-outang, etc., all of which have big jaws, small brains, and a stooping
posture. This family also includes man, with his big brain and erect posture,
and his many races depending upon shape of skull, color of skin, character
of hair, etc.
In considering the Ascent of Man (physical) from the lowly forms of the
Monera, etc., up to his present high position, the student is struck with the
continuity of the ascent, development and unfoldment. While there are
many “missing-links,” owing to the disappearance of the forms which formed
the connection, still there is sufficient proof left in the existing forms to satisfy
the fair-minded inquirer. The facts of embryology alone are sufficient proof
of the ascent of Man from the lowly forms. Each and every man today has
passed through all the forms of the ascent within a few months, from single
cell to the new-born, fully formed infant.
Embryology teaches us that the eggs from which all animal forms evolve
are all practically alike so far as one can ascertain by microscopic examination,
no matter how diverse may be the forms which will evolve from them, and
this resemblance is maintained even when the embryo of the higher forms
begins to manifest traces of its future form. Von Baer, the German scientist,
was the first to note this remarkable and suggestive fact. He stated it in the
following words: “In my possession are two little embryos, preserved in
alcohol, whose names I have omitted to attach, and at present I am unable to
state to what class they belong. They may be lizards, or small birds, or very
young mammals, so complete is the similarity in the mode of the formation