associated. If we gain this
knowledge we shall be in better position to solve many of our other
problems. Even then there is a problem which preceded and which will
possibly always defy solution. How did life originate? Has it
developed out of chemical and physical activities which we know as
heat, light or electricity? If so, what were the conditions under
which it developed? If we understand the nature of life, and the
conditions under which it developed, we may be able to produce it at
will.

A few scientists may hope dimly that this will be attained. I suspect
a great majority believe it to be impossible, and that the question as
to whether life evolved upon this planet, or this planet became
infected with life through meteoric dust from some other center, will
forever remain an unsolved problem.

CHAPTER X

THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF MAN

The disturbance of mind created by the publication of Charles Darwin's
"Origin of Species" would have amounted to nothing if the theory had
been applied to the lower animals alone. Few people would have
disputed that a cow and a buffalo had descended from the same
ancestor, or that monkeys and apes were of a common blood. The whole
theory would have been looked upon by those outside the biological
world as entirely an academic question, in which they had little
concern, and less interest. But within this century the scientist has
so persuaded the world of the unity underlying the activities of the
universe, that so soon as a principle is established men begin to run
it out to the very end. Everyone knows perfectly well that if it could
be proved that the dog and the horse had a common ancestor, still more
if it could be made apparent that the dog and the frog and fish had
sprung from the same stock, then there could be no question of what
would be the final application of the theory. Man himself could be no
exception to the law. So the battle dropped at once upon this most
interesting point, and around this center the contest has waged.

What is the origin of man? Who are his ancestors? As soon as we ask
the question there is no doubt whatever as to the answer, if we accept
the principle of evolution. Our only means of judging relationship
between animals is by the similarity of their structure. As soon as we
come to examine the other creatures even in the most cursory fashion,
there is only one group which in any close degree resembles the human
species. Our nearest