COMMON ANCESTRY WITH APE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 667, 20 May 1929, Page 1

COMMON ANCESTRY WITH APE

“Armchair Dabblers” Attacked

PROF. SPERRIN-JOHNSON ON EVOLUTION

THE structure of man correlated with the comparative anatomy of the apes is quite sufficient to show that they had a common ancestry. ‘•To my mind, comparative anatomy in itselt is sufficient to indicate the position of most organisms, including man. Armchair dabblers, unacquainted with the anatomy of a la rye series of organisms, cannot be expected to realise how homologies and affinities will make this point perfectly clear to the experienced worker. .... .-. • . . A small proportion of people exhibit a condition with regard to Evolution which would repay analysis. Thev seem to show symptoms of ignorance, fear and an unjustified arrogance. When these three states are combined with religious bigotry, a complex is presented which may be dangerously anti-social.'’

These extracts from an address to the Auckland Rotary Club today on the subject of “Evolution” sum up the opinion of Professor J. C. SperrinJohnson on the controversy that has been raging in Auckland lately. “DESCENT WITH MODIFICATION” Evolution was defined by Professor Sperrin-Johnson as descent with modification. Various explanations of the theory were offered, but the more important study was the clear demonstration that living organisms were not always the same. Ancient and more homogeneous groups of plants and animals in the course of time became differentiated, either in the way of improved adaptations to new conditions, or else showed degeneration, as could be seen in the case of internal parasites. In the course of this progression certain groups died out, or, as we say, became extinct. The speaker went on to classify the study of evolution under different headings. Geologists, thinking of the crust of the earth, visualised certain strata arranged in a definite order, associated with a particular age, and the abscence or presence of certain fossils, which were the remains of organisms which existed in former times. From this study two enormous generalisations arose. The oldest rocks contained organisms of the most primitive type, and the more recent strata contained more elaborate organisms which had been derived from simpler ones later on. Like flowering plants, man appeared late in geological time, KEY TO STUDY The lcey to evolution w'as geogra phical distribution. In connected with the study of fossils, experts could re construct landscapes and climates ol former geological periods. As living organisms began to differentiate or the surface of the cooling earth, clima tic zones were not marked at first This explained the wide distribution ol certain fossils. The demarcation ol climatic zones followed; modern con tinental masses, oceans, mountains lakes, rivers and deserts appeared. Competition, adaption and migratioi were concerned, as they were today so that differentiation continued, in volving v, hat. became known as th< struggle for existence, survival of th< fittest, and elimination of the unfit. “Incidentally,” said Professor I Sperrin-Johnson, “New Zealand is s a remarkable biographical region. Both in its flora and fauna, it gives us interesting examples in relation to the connection of geographical distribution with evolution. “ALL HAVE TAILS" Professor Sperrin-Johnson trace the history of the embryo, and its r< lation to human evolution, illustrai ing his remarks with diagrams. “All human embryos have tails,” i he said. “As in certain monkeys, Uie human tail became atrophied. A tail as long as 10 inches might persist in an infant. This was generally removed by means of a

surgical operation. Natural y, the parents did not like it!" The publication of Darwin s “Origin of Species” in 1559 brought the study o£ organic evolution' to a head. It would almost seem that the world was ready for this great pronouncement. Enlightened workers at once applied this conclusion to innumerable biological problems. Difficulties in classification were immediately cleared up. There was an immense ramification in connection with medicine, agriculture, forestry, public health, administration of primitive people, psychology, even origins of art. language, and religion. An immense impulse was thus given to anthropology and sociology. A most important orientation was in connection with the education of the young. Theories of education had been enunciated for centuries, but for the first time the clear conception was given of individual development based on recapitulation. "SKATING ON THIN ICE” “Following the embryological sequence, there are several phases in development to the adult condition,” said the speaker.. The child is first a little animal, then has something of the attributes of a savage, and gradually displays reactions which we associate with the normal adult. So that corresponding adaptations were suggested for a school syllabus. The study of evolution gives ns a correct criterion of man as a living organism in relation to his environment. Biology is much taught in English schools as a preparation to study of social conditions. An analysis of western civilisation is engaging attention at present. “It would appear that under modern civilised conditions we are, so to speak, skating on thin ice. Characteristics inimical to the best interests of the race are disseminated and disguised by present conditions of living. Our sense of smell is practically gone; our teeth are going (90 per cent, of school children show morbid dental conditions) ; 1 per cent, of white people have major or minor mental abnormalities. “It is only when catastrophes occur in the way of war, earthquakes, dislocation of food supply, or serious epidemics, that we come to realise our position in the animal kingdom.” “DANGEROUSLY ANTI SOCIAL” “I have mentioned the reactions of enlightened and trained workers to evolution. I reluctantly add that a small proportion of people exhibit a condition which would repay analysis. With reference to evolution, they seem to show symptoms of ignorance, fear, and an unjustified arrogance. When 1 these three states are combined with ■ religious bigotry, a complex is presented which may be dangerously antisocial.

“In any case, it is anachronistic as witch-finding and burning at the stake have gone out of fashion.

“The analogies involved 1 will not pursue at present. But you may have observed one manifestation which is approximately parasitic. The type of which I speak will calmly use the modern time-saving and life-saving elaborations to which they have contributed nothing. “They will manipulate electric switches, utilise modern miracles in the way of transport, study vitamin content in their food, even get vaccinated. On top of all this, they will effloresce into printer’s ink with fatu- ! ous diatribes against ‘science.’ “In connection with organic evolution, a phobia seems to develop as a result of such complexes. What are j they afraid of? The trained biologist is as cautious about the origin of life as about existence hereafter. We have quite enough to do to inves--1 tigate organisms already on the earth. “The real jolt is more likely to come from comparative anthropology, with its detailed survey of the physical and mental characters of man, including comparisons, parallels, and origins of various religious beliefs and superstitions. None of us will object to the ! study of Oriental tribal histories. ! whether inspired or not. It is obvij ously a danger when children are to I be deprived of modern scientific teaching, which should be a preparation for i life, in the present highly competitive I conditions.”