Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-15

Copyright 1907, by John Elfreth wntkns)
I'm many of my views as to mans de-
scent from lower forms I an more radical
than most naturalists."
The speaker was the dean of American
naturalists. DR.. Theodore Nicholas Gill,
whom Prof. Spencer Baird a generation ago
termed "the most learned of American nat
uralsts." The light fell upon him through
one of the narrow window Sits of the north
tower of the ivy-clad Norman castle which
houses the genluses of 1.-The Smithsonian"
Beneath in this same tower. the bones of
James Smithson. founder of the institution,
and son of the one-time powerful Duke of
Northumberland, lay crumbling in their sar-
cophagus OF stone. l had called at DR..
ellis sanctum with the request:
will you sum up for me your views as to
the pedigree and future of MANI"
After more than a half century spent
in the study of biology. l am more than
ever convinced that man has had the same
past history as has the modern ape-the
ohimpanzee, gorilla and orang-outang." said
he. I'VE have parted company with these
relatives OF ours only within a recent
geologic period. II we could resurrect our
remote ancestors we should have. animals
little more distinguishable from the CHM
panzees and gorillas of today than they
are from each other. or than they are from
the orang-outang. The differences between
US and those apes, so far as structural
conditions are concerned, are much less
than between them and the soid-world mon
keys of Asia and Africa, ana are very much
less than between the apes and the new
world monkeys-those of tropical America.
1t is true that we have diverged greatly
from the apes in external appearance and In
certain features, hat those differences are
more superficial than real, mean that
we agree with the old world apes. In all OF
our bones, their number and general ap-
pearance; in our teeth and in our brains. ~.
what are the principal difference be-
tween man and ape!~ =
There are numera differences OF detall.
of course Almost all of mans bones are
readily dlstinguishable from those of.-the
ape but so can tile homes OF each ape
species be distinguished from those or an
other The salient differences between man
and ape are to be found in the shortening
of the upper and the elongation OF the
lower limbs in man. These are co-ordi-
mated with differences In size of teeth and
70, \ of skull Such changes could have re-
suited in short time, geologicatly speak
ing. and in response to external conditions
and environment @-.--
Causes of Apes Transformation.
what were the causes of the apes trans
formation to MANI"
"Well we will suppose that some Of our
ape ancestors found that they could use
their forelimbs to better advantage than
their teeth In combats with their neigh
:. Now, the teeth OF apes are not those
Of carniverous animals. but primarily
for grinding food-fruits especially-or for
reducing food TO pulp. They have large
canine teeth, but these are for warfare
simply ard for that reason are more de-
yeloped in males. Now. after cur ancestors
Z, md their arms more efficient for warfare
N An their teeth there was a reduction In
The lattcr-in the CANNES first. This was In
accordance with [ 1t law of nature provid-
In that when there is little use. dis
use of all organ or part, Its DEDUCTION
aIrophy will ensue. So. as our ancestors
came TO fight more with their arms than
with their teeth, and as their teeth con
I; 1uently became reduced IN size, there was
at the same time a closing II tine gaps
In the upper jaws which received these
c. tue teeth, anu tnus gIadua- tsveiopeu