Concerning man's true place in Nature, Haeckel says:
"Whatever part of the body we consider, we find upon the most exact
examination that man is more nearly related to the highest apes than
are the latter to the lowest apes. It would therefore be wholly forced
and unnatural to regard man in the zoological system as constituting a
distinct order, and thus to separate him from the true ape. Rather is
the scientific zoologist compelled, whether it is agreeable to him or
not, to rank man within the order of the true ape (Simiae)."
To whatever minutiae of detail the comparison is carried, we reach in
every case the same result. Between man and the anthropoid apes there
are the closest anatomical and physiological resemblances. In form
and function, there is the most exact agreement between all the
corresponding bones of the skeleton of each; the same arrangement
and structure of the muscles, nerves and entire viscera, and of
the spleen, liver and lungs--the latter being a matter of especial
significance, for between the manner of breathing and the process of
nutrition there is the closest relation.
The brain, also, is subject to the same laws of development, and
differs only with regard to size. The minute structure of the skin,
nails, and even the hair, is identical in character. Although man
has lost the greater part of his hairy covering, as Darwin thinks, in
consequence of sexual selection, yet the rudimentary hairs upon the
body correspond, in many respects, to those of the anthropoids. The
formation of the beard is the same in both cases; while the face and
ears remain bare. Anthropoids and men become grayhaired in old age.
But the most remarkable circumstance is that, upon the upper arm, the
hairs are, in both cases, directed downward, and upon the lower arm
upward; while in the case of the half-apes it is different, and not as
soft as that of man and the anthropoids.
The eye, on account of its delicate structure, is peculiarly
suitable for comparisons of this kind; and we find here the greatest
similarity: even inflammation and green cataract occur under the same
circumstances, in both. See, also, Darwin upon this point.
There is no more striking proof that man and the anthropoid apes have
the same anatomical and physiological nature, and require the same
food, than the similarity of their blood. Under the microscope the
blood corpuscles are identical in form and appearance; while those of
the carnivora are clearly different from them.
It may now be interesting, in confirmation of what has been said, to
refer to the family life, and, if one may so speak, to the mental
and moral life of the anthropoids. Like man, the ape provides with
exceeding care for its young, so that its parental affection has
become proverbial. Connubial fidelity is a general and well known
virtue. The mother ape leads its young to the water, and washes its
face and hands in spite of its crying. Wounds are also washed out with
water. The ape, when in distress, will weep like a human being, and
in a manner that is said to be very affecting. Young apes manifest
the same tendencies as human children. When domesticated, they are
in youth docile and teachable, and also, at times, like all children,
disobedient. In old age they often become morose and capricious. Most
apes construct huts, or, at least, roofs, as a protection from the
weather, and sleep in a kind of bed.
One peculiarity is alone common to them and man, and this is the habit
of lying upon the back in sleep. In battle they defend themselves with
their fists and long sticks; and, under otherwise like circumstances,
they manifest like passions and emotions with man: as joy and sorrow,
pain and envy, revenge and sympathy. In death, especially, the ape
face assumes a peculiarly human-like and spiritual expression, and the
sufferer is the object of as genuine compassion as exists in the case
of man. It is also well known that apes bury their dead, laying the
body in a secluded spot, and covering it with leaves. Regarding the
domestic life of the ape, Darwin says, in his "Descent of Man" (vol.
1, p. 39):
"We see maternal affection manifested in the most trifling details.
Thus Rengger observed an American monkey (a Cebus) carefully driving
away the flies which plagued her infant; and Duvancel saw a Hylobates
washing the faces of her young ones in a stream. So intense is
the grief of female monkeys for the loss of their young, that it
invariably caused the death of certain kinds kept under confinement
by Brehm in North Africa. Orphan monkeys are always adopted, and
carefully guarded by other monkeys, both males and females. One female
baboon had so capacious a heart, that she not only adopted young
monkeys of other species but stole young dogs and cats, which she
continually carried about with her. Her kindness did not go so far,
however, as to share her food with her adopted offspring; at which
Brehm was surprised, as his monkeys divided everything quite
fairly with their own young ones. An adopted kitten scratched
the above-mentioned affectionate baboon, who certainly had a fine
intellect, for she was much astonished at being scratched, and
immediately examined the kitten's feet, and without more ado bit off
the claws."
The number of characteristics possessed in common by man and the
higher apes is, indeed, very great, and includes not only physical
and emotional but even intellectual qualities.--_From Schlickeysen's
"Fruit and Bread," translated by Dr. Holbrook._
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