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

all Of his hair shaved off he would have
the blackish skin of the African. That
difference between man and ape which Is
marked in adults Is so much reduced IN the
Young of the two that the resemblance be-
tween a young ape and negro bapy Is
really ludcrous."
Believ. , There Will Be a Superman.
There is also. great deal being said,
doctor, about superman. Do you believe
that a superior species will replace man?''
Undoubtedly in the distant future there
will be a development from man as he now
Is into different form. That there will
be changes is forced upon us by the entire
history of mammals which shows that spe-
cifc types last only short time in geologic
history, and that each genus and species
dies out. There is not single species,
genus or even family type which has had a
continuous existence since the opening OF
the tertiary period, and there is no reason
to suppose that in the future any will be
exempt from this change. 1t must, there
fore, be assumed that the present species
VIII die out and be succeeded by offspring
of a somewhat different character. Such a
development in man, however. will not
take place for thousands of years.
. DO you see evidences of any changes in
man now in progress?" -. u ..r
''There are a Few winch might be used as
the basis of speculation as to how man
OF the distant future will differ from man
of the present. 1t is possible that his lit
tie toe will be more reduced, that his wis
dom teeth VIII disappear and-'a con-
summation. devoutly to be wished for
that the yefniform appendix will be lost.
There may also be a better adjustment OF
mans entire organization to an upright
position: Despite tile countless thousands
of years since our. ancestors walked Oh all
, tours we have not entirely adapted our
selves as yet to the newer manner OF
walking erect Hernia is one of the all
ments which results from this want OF
adaptation. Otlor possible changes are
greater brain surface, resulting from
deeper sulcaton between the convoiutons,
and very likely-lnere W II be an increase in
the size of the cereb." Il. But as to the
distinguishing characts istics OF so-called
'superman' all would b.. mere speculation"
Among American Il tGralists you are
about the last of your generation. are you
not, doctor?"
Yes, Cope, Marsh. Leidy. Baird and
others Of our school have gone now, and
perhaps it will be. my turn before very
long; butt still feel young and vigorous.
althoGgIII celebrated my seventeen birth
day a few weeks ago
How did you come to take up biology as
a life work?", -
'.As a small boy I always took an uncom-
mon interest in collecting minerals, plants
and animals. LAYING family ties in New
midland. l read and observed n great
deal concerning its fisheries and their
economic Importance. I read all the books
about fishes that l could lay hands on.
and when a lad OF sixteen went through
the New York markets and collected data
for an extensive work about our food
fishes. Prof. Baird, then secretary OF the
Smithsonian. heard OF this work. sent for
II and published a summary OF 1t as
nart OF the scientific report of the insttu-
ton. At that time l WAS studying law in
the office of an uncle in New York. En-
Outraged thus by Prof. Baird. put up my
law hooks and Travelled extensively in the
West Indies. making Il large collection OF
snecimens 1 afterward accepted an invi-
tation from Prof. Henry and Prof Baird
TO come to the Smithsonian. and l ac-
cepted permanently in 1861. when the sec
retary, Prof Henry. made me librarian
But since 1915. having independent means,
1 have pursued my studies unrestricted by
any official obligations"
JOHN ELFRETH WATKINS.