The Origin of Human Races and the Antiquity of Man Deduced from Natural Selection

body, this [intellect] provided him with clothing against the varying harshness inclemencies of the seasons. Although he was unable to compete with the deer in speed, or with the wild bull in strength, this gave him weapons with which to capture or overcome both. Though less capable than most other animals of living on the herbs and the fruits that nature alone supplies, this wonderful faculty taught him to govern and direct nature for his own benefit. It allowed him to make her produce food for him when and where he pleased.

From the moment the first skin was used as a covering, when the first rude spear was formed to assist in the hunt, or the first seed was sown or shoot planted, a grand revolution was effected in nature. This was a revolution which, in all the previous ages of the earth's history, had no parallel; for a being had arisen who was no longer necessarily subject to change along with the changing universe. He was a being who was, to some degree, superior to nature, insofar as he knew how to control and regulate her actions. He could keep himself in harmony with her, not by a change in his body, but by an advancement of his mind.

Here, then, we see the true grandeur and dignity of man. Based on this view of his special attributes, we may admit that even those who claim he belongs in a distinct category—as an order, a class, or a sub-kingdom by himself—have some reason on their side. He is, indeed, a unique being, since he is not influenced by the great laws which irresistibly modify all other organic beings. Nay more; this victory which he has gained for himself gives him a directing influence over other existences. Man has not only escaped "natural selection" himself, but he is actually able to take away some of that power from nature which, before his appearance, she exercised over everything. We can anticipate the time when the earth will produce only cultivated plants and domestic animals; when man's selection shall have supplanted "natural selection"; and when the ocean will be the only domain in which that power can be exerted—a power which for countless cycles of ages ruled supreme over all the earth.

To briefly recapitulate the argument: humans have escaped the influence of those laws which have produced unceasing change in the animal world in two distinct ways. First, by his superior intellect, he is enabled to provide himself with clothing and weapons, and by cultivating the soil, he obtains a constant supply of suitable congenial food. This renders it unnecessary for his body to be modified in accordance with changing conditions—unlike the lower animals, he does not need to gain a warmer natural covering, to acquire more powerful teeth or claws, or to become adapted to digest new kinds of food as circumstances may require.

Second, by his superior sympathetic and moral feelings, he becomes fitted for the social state. He ceases to plunder the weak and helpless of his tribe; he shares the game which he has caught with less active or less fortunate hunters, or exchanges it for weapons which even the sick or the deformed can fashion. He saves the sick and wounded from death. Thus, the power which leads to the rigid destruction of all animals who cannot in every respect help themselves is prevented from acting on him.

This power is "natural selection"; and, as by no other means can