The Descent of Man

would have been known in the many volcanic
regions where lava occasionally flows through
forests. The anthropomorphous apes, guided
probably by instinct, build for themselves temporary
platforms; but as many instincts are
largely controlled by reason, the simpler ones,
such as this of building a platform, might readily
pass into a voluntary and conscious act. The
orang is known to cover itself at night with the
leaves of the Pandanus; and Brehm states that
one of his baboons used to protect itself from
the heat of the sun by throwing a straw-mat
over its head. In these several habits, we probably
see the first steps towards some of the simpler
arts, such as rude architecture and dress,
as they arose amongst the early progenitors of
man.
ABSTRACTION, GENERAL CONCEP-
TIONS, SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS, MENTAL
INDIVIDUALITY.