If we look at the results of modern anthropogeny from the highest point of view, and compare all its empirical arguments, we are justified in affirming that the descent of man from an extinct Tertiary series of Primates is not a vague hypothesis, but an historical fact.
Of course, this fact cannot be proved exactly. We cannot explain all the innumerable physical and chemical processes, all the physiological mutations, which have led during untold millions of years from the simplest Monera and from the unicellular Protista upwards to the chimpanzee and to man. But the same consideration applies to all historical facts. We all believe that Aristotle, Cæsar, and King Alfred did live; but it is impossible to give a proof within the meaning of modern exact science. We believe firmly in the former existence of these and other great heroes of thought, because we know well the works they have left behind them, and we see their effects in the history of human culture. These indirect arguments do not furnish stronger evidence than those of our history as vertebrates. We know of many Jurassic mammals only a single bone, the under jaw. We all believe that these mammals possessed also an upper jaw, a skull, and other bones. But the so-called 'exact school,' which regards the transformation of species as a hypothesis not proven, must suppose that the mandibula was the only bone in the body of these curious animals.
Looking forward to the twentieth century, I am convinced that it will universally accept our theory of descent, and that future science will regard it as the greatest advance made in our time. I have no doubt that the influence of the study of anthropogeny upon all other branches of science will be fruitful and auspicious. The work done in the present century by Lamarck and Darwin will in all future times be considered one of the greatest conquests made by thinking man.
EVOLUTIONARY STAGES OF THE PRINCIPAL GROUPS OF VERTEBRATA.[25]
| STAGES OF THE | CLASSES. | STAGES OF THE HEART. |
| PAIRED LIMBS. | ||
| {1. Acrania. | I. Leptocardia. | |
| I. Adactylia | { | Cold-blooded; heart |
| s. Impinnata. | { | with one chamber; |
| Without jaws | { | without lungs. |
| and limbs. | { | |
| {2. Cyclostomata. | }II. Ichthyocardia. | |
| } Cold-blooded; heart | ||
| } two-chambered, with | ||
| } one atrium and one | ||
| } ventricle; heart | ||
| } containing venous | ||
| II. Polydactylia | {3. Pisces. | } blood only; without lungs |
| s. Pinnata. | { | |
| With two | { | |
| pairs of fins. | { 4. Dipnoi. | }III. Amphicardia. |
| }Cold-blooded; heart | ||
| } with three complete | ||
| } chambers, namely, with | ||
| } two atria and one | ||
| { 5. Amphibia. | } ventricle, or (Reptilia) | |
| { | } two ventricles with still | |
| { | } incomplete septum; heart | |
| { | } containing mixed venous | |
| { | } and arterialized | |
| III. Pentadactylia | { 6. Reptilia. | } blood; with lungs. |
| s. Tetrapoda. | { | |
| With two | { | {IV. Thermocardia. |
| pairs of | { | { Warm-blooded; heart |
| pentadactyle | { | { with four complete |
| limbs (unless | {7. Aves. | { chambers, namely, two |
| they have | { | { auricles and two |
| been lost by | { | { ventricles; right half |
| reduction). | { | { of the heart with venous, |
| { | { left half with arterialized, | |
| {8. Mammalia. | { blood; with lungs. |