The Descent of Man

eason to believe, that no true bird or reptile
intervenes in the direct line of descent. He who
wishes to see what ingenuity and knowledge
can effect, may consult Prof. Haeckel's works.
(21. Elaborate tables are given in his 'Generelle
Morphologie' (B. ii. s. cliii. and s. 425); and with
more especial reference to man in his 'Naturliche
Schopfungsgeschichte,' 1868. Prof. Huxley,
in reviewing this latter work ('The Academy,'
1869, p. 42) says, that he considers the phylum
or lines of descent of the Vertebrata to be admirably
discussed by Haeckel, although he differs
on some points. He expresses, also, his high
estimate of the general tenor and spirit of the
whole work.) I will content myself with a few
general remarks. Every evolutionist will admit
that the five great vertebrate classes, namely,
mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes,
are descended from some one prototype;
for they have much in common, especially during
their embryonic state. As the class of fishes
is the most lowly organised, and appeared be-