Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-11-25
Men and Apes.

At the late meeting OF the br1tlSh Scientific
Association, Professor Ovens lecture on man
like apes, in the chronological Section, drew
together an immense audience. The lecturer
rejecting as far as possible the technicalities
which sometimes makes scientific diseourses
repulsive to mixed audience, proceeded to
define the known species of those large tailless
apes which from the highest group of their
order (quadrumaaa) and consequently make the
nearest approach to man. He determined the
true geological characters Of the known orang-
outangs and chimpanzees rs manifested by adult
specimens, pointed out the relative proximity of
these caricatures of humanity to the human
species, and indicated the leading distinctions
which separate the most authropoid Of these
apes from man. Entering, then, upon the
subject Of the varieties of the human race, the
Professor defined the degree in which the races
differed from each other in color, stature, and
notifications of the skeleton. The unity of the
human species is demonstrated by the constancy
of those astrological and dental characters to
which the attention is more particularly directed
in the investigation of the corresponding char
acters in the higher quadrumana. Man is the
sole species of his genus, the sole representative
Of his order. He has no nearer physical
relations with the brute kind than those which
arise out Of the characters that link to gether
the great group Of placental mammala called
"ungniculata." In conclusion, the Professor
briefly recounted the facts at present satisfac
torily ascertained respecting the antiquity of
the quadrumear and Of man upon the surface
of the earth. AT the time of the demise of
Cuvrier, in 1852, no evidence had been obtained
of fossil guadrunana, and the baron supposed
that both these and the b,n.ossa were of very
recent introduction. Soon after evidence with
regard to the fosl guadr.mana was obtained
u IT, al H. ~
tertiary deposites in Suffolk specimens Of jaws
and teeth were found which uuerringly indicated
the former existence of o species of monkey of
the genus Macacus (Kucacus cocenus.) About
the same time the tertiary deposites from the
Himalaya mountains gave further evidence of
the quadrumana jaws, astragali, and some
other parts of the skeleton having been found
completely petrifed, and referable to the genus
callen Semnopithecus, which is now restricted to
the Asiatic continent.
DR.. Lund discovered in Brazil remains of an
extinct platyrhine monkey, surprising any
known ecbus or mycetes in size the platyrhine
are peculiar to South America. Lastly, in the
middle tertiary series in the south of France
was discovered fragment of the lower jaw,
proving that at that period some species of the
long armed ape must have existed. But no
fossil remains have been found in the regularly
deposited layers of one Of the divisions mot
even the piiocene) Of the tertiary series. HUI
man bones have been found in doubtful posi-
tons, geoogically considered, such as deserted
mines and caves, in the dedritus at the bottom
of the cliffs but never in tranquil undisturbed
deposites, participating in the mineral char
acters of the unboubted fosis of these deposites
The petrifed negro skeletons in the calcareous
concretes of Guadeloupe are of q comparatively
recent origin. &C. Thus, therefore," concluded
the Professor, " in reference both to the unity
of the human species and to the fact Of man
being the latest, as he is the highest, of all
animals forms upon our planet, the interpreta-
tons Of Gods works coincide with what has
been revealed to us as to our own origin and
geological relations in this world. Of the nature
of the creative acts by which the successive
races of animals were called into being we are
ignorant; but this we know, that, as the
evidence Of the unity Of plan testifies to the
oneness of the Creator, SO the notifications of
the plan for different modes Of existence illus
trate the benefcence Of the designer. Those
structures, moreover, which are at present
incomprehensible, as adaptations to q special
end, are made comprehensive on o higher |
principle, and a final purpose is gained in |
relation to human intelligence; for, in the |
instances where the analogy of humanity in
vented machines, fails to explain the structure
of divinely created organ, such organ does
not exist in vain if its trucr comprehension in
relation to the Divine idea leads rational beings
to better conception Of their own origin and |
Creator" ~ e.ss.
Upon the motion Of Professor Sedwick and of
Archbishop Whately, = vote of thanks to the
lecturer was carried by reclamation. It had
been imagined that the supporters Of the theory
of progressive development-viz: that man |
was originally an ,orang- outang-would have
sprung up to combat the professors arguments, |
but no discussion took place. The hypothesis /
that man is but the improved edition Of an ape |
seemed most unpopular with the audience, q 4
very large proportion of whom was Of the fair |
SEX and the professors demolition Of the theory
VAS loudly applanded throughout.
SULPHUR. -This mineral product is the key |
which opens the door to chemical manufactures. |
From it we make sulphuric acid, foil of vitrioi,
and without sulphuric acid many Of the largest |
factories would cease to exist. By its aid we
Ire able to produce 50 many Substances, that