On the Relations of Man to the Lower Animals

On the Relations of Man to the Lower Animals is by Thomas H. Huxley. The text calls the question of questions for mankind, the problem which underlies all others and is more deeply interesting than any other, the ascertainment of the place which Man occupies in nature and of his relations to the universe of things. The list of illustrations includes the Egg of the Dog, With The Vitelline Membrane Burst, So As to Give Exit To the Yelk, and a Human Ovum (after Kolliker).

The text lists the following absolute anatomical differences: the arrangement of the tarsal bones, having a short flexor and a short extensor muscle of the digits, and possessing the muscle termed peronaeus longus. The text says that, in the limbs of the Gorilla, the terminal division of the fore limb presents no difficulty, as bone for bone and muscle for muscle are found to be arranged essentially as in man. The writer says he does not mean to suggest that scientific differences should be settled by universal suffrage, but conceives that solid proofs must be met by something more than empty and unsupported assertions.