Litchfield enquirer., 1879-09-04
Evolution and the Age of Man.

l and Methods of Chronological Discovery. It is very interesting sketch of the progress of knowledge regarding animal life in past ge- ologic epochs but it is still more important | for it's positive assertion of the doctrine of Evolution, and the great antiquity of man. The chief obstacles to progress in this direc- tion, says Prof. Marsh, have been the assump- tions of theology:
 The dominant idea of the first sixteen cen- was made for Man. This was the great ob- stacle to the correct determination of the po- sition of the earth in tie universe, and later, | of the age of the earth The contest of As tronOmy against authority was long and severe, but the victory was at last with science. The contest of Geology against the same power fol- lowed and continued almost to our day. The result is still the same. In the early stages of this contest there was no strife, for science was benumbed by the embrace of superstition and | creed, and little could be done till that was cast off, In superstitious age, when every natural event is referred to supernatural cause, science cannot live; and often as the | sacred fire may be kindled by courageous, far seeing souls will it be quenched by the dense mists of ignorance around it. Scarcely less fatal to the growth of science is the age Of Authority, as the past proves too we'll. With freedom of thought. came definite knowledge and certain progress but 2,O00 years was long to wait.
 The first definite proposition of the theory of Evolution was by the French scientist Lam- arck, about three quarters of century ago. The famous naturalist Cuvier opposed the the ory, and carried the scientific men of his period with him, his pupil Agassiz adhering to Gu vicr's view to the last. During the next half century, consequently the theory that each species of animal was separate miraculous creation still held sway. But the general ten dency of scientific discovery was in favor of the gradual regular development of geologic change, and against the older notion of progress by sudden ''catastrophes" of nature. In re- gard to animal life, also, the discovery and classification of 30,00O species of extinct ani- mals showed regular gradation from lower to higher forms of life.
 Just twenty years ago, science had reached point when the belief in special creations' was undermined by well-established facts, slowly accumulated. The time was ripe. Many naturaliSts were working at the problem, convinced that Evolution was the key to the present and the past. But how had Nature brought this change about? While others pondered, Darwin spoke the magic word Natural Selection," and new epoch in sci ence began.
 From that time to the present, says Prof. Marsh, the evidence in favor of Darwins the- ory has been rapidly increasing. To his own important discovery of the missing links con- meeting little fossil animal with the existing horse, and to the importance of the evidence thus offered in support of the theory of Evolu- tion, he refers as follows:
 Among the important results in Vertebrate PaleontologY, are the genealogies made out with considerable probability, for various ex- sting animals. Many of the larger mammals have been traced back through allied forms in d closely connected series to early Tertiary times. In several cases the series are so con- plete that there can be little doubt that the line of descent has been established. The Evo- lution of the horse, for example, is to-day demonstrated by the specimens now known. The demonstration in one case stands for all. The evidence in favor of the genealogy of the horse now rests on the same foundation as the proof that any fossil bone once formed part of the skeleton of living animal. A special cre- ation of a single bone is as probable as the special creation of single species. The meth od of the pal8ontologist in the investigation of the one is the method for the other. The only choice lies between natural derivation and supernatural creation.
 In view of this and other evidence bearing on the subject, he does not hesitate to affirm,
 For such reasons it is now regarded among the active workers in science as waste of time to discuss the truth of Evolution. The sattJe om nlis point hGs 6een tought @aod toon.
 One of the main characteristics of the present period in the history of Paleontology, there- fore, is ''the belief that all life living and ex- tinct has been evolved from simple forms. Another prominent feature is the accepted fact of the great antiquity of the humail race. These are quite sufficient to distinguish this period sharply from those that preceded it."
 Half a century ago, the age of the world was a subject of earnest discussion. Geology maintained that the world was millions of years old. Theology held firm to the theory of a creation which allowed but six days of twenty four hours each for the work. Nearly a generation passed before the geological the ory came to be generally received. Very much the same discussion arose regarding the Del uge. The old theory that the whole surface of the earth was covered with water to depth exceeding the height of the Andes or the Him. alayas, has been gradually superseded by that of a local flood covering only the area then oc- cupied by the descendants of Adam
 Later yet has come the controversy regard ing the age of the human race. The Usher chronology which had been generally adopted by the church, limits it to less than 5000 years. Gradually, however, the increasing light which science was throwing upon the formation and duration of geologic strata inclined those best informed to- doubt whether the presence of man on earth could be confined to any such narrow limit. Several discoveries of human skulls, in deposits of much older date than that of a few thousand years, strengthened the inclination on the part ot geology to question the literal construction that had been hitherto
 given to Bible genealogies. The evidence was wanting however, for anything more than a supposition, till the search for the primitive man had taken new direction.
 Almost the first tools and weapons used by man have been of stone. The practice of chipping rough axes, knives, and other imple- ments from flint IS one that leaves indestructible evidence of mans presence. The skeleton of the savage who employs this primitive art soon turns to dust but the work bears endur- ing testimony to the existence of the workman for all time. It is these relics of human skill that have furnished the strongest proof of the presence of man in geologic ages long before the brief period usually allotted to his career on earth.
 Prof. Marsh considers the evidence of mans antiquity overwhelming. He holds that his existence in the Tertiary period has been fairly established. Attempts" says he, ''have re- gently been made to approximate in years the