. Some salient points in the science of the earth [microform]. Geology; Paleontology; Géologie; Paléontologie. 484 MAN IN NATURE. â¢â I * 11 iil'l l4i^l ll and physiology, or that of psychology and pneumatology as well. This distinction is the more important, since, under the somewhat delusive term "biology," it has been customary to mix up all these considerations, while, on the other hand, those anatomists who regard all the functions of organic beings as merely mechanical and physical, do not scruple to employ this term biology for their science, though on their hypothesis
. Some salient points in the science of the earth [microform]. Geology; Paleontology; Géologie; Paléontologie. 484 MAN IN NATURE. â¢â I * 11 iil'l l4i^l ll and physiology, or that of psychology and pneumatology as well. This distinction is the more important, since, under the somewhat delusive term "biology," it has been customary to mix up all these considerations, while, on the other hand, those anatomists who regard all the functions of organic beings as merely mechanical and physical, do not scruple to employ this term biology for their science, though on their hypothesis there can be no such thing as life, and consequently the use of the word by them must be either superstitious or hypocritical. Anatomically considered, man is an animal of the class Mammalia. In that class, notwithstanding the heroic efforts of some modern detractors from his dignity to place him with the monkeys in the order Primates^ he undoubtedly belongs to a distinct order. I have elsewhere argued that, if he were an ex- tinct animal, the study of the bones of his hand, or of his head, would suffice to convince any competent palaeontologist that he represents a distinct order, as far apart from the highest apes as they are from the carnivoru. That he belongs to a distinct family no anatomist denies, and the same unanimity of course obtains as to his generic and specific distinctness. On the other hand, no zoological systematist now doubts that all the races of men are specifically identical. Thus we have the anatomical position of man firmly fixed in the system of nature, and he must be content to acknowledge his kinship not only with the higher animals nearest to him, but v.'ith the humblest animalcule. V/ith all he shares a common material and many common fea- tures of stiucture. When we ascend to the somewhat higher plane of physiology we find in a general way the same relationshij) to animals. Of the four grand leading functions of the animal, nutrition, repro-
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectgeology, booksubjectpaleontology
