A first book in organic evolutionShute, D. Kerfoot (Daniel Kerfoot)
Science
A first book in organic evolution
Shute, D. Kerfoot (Daniel Kerfoot)
Evolution
As development proceeds the most conspicuous growth of the brain is
observed in connection with the cerebrum and cerebellum. The cerebrum
particularly grows relatively and actually larger and larger, but does
not yet cover any portion of the optic lobes. This is the _reptile
stage_, represented in Fig. 25. The cerebrum, continuing to grow, finally
covers the front portion of the optic lobes. This is the _marsupial
stage_, and is shown in Figs. 26 and 27. Growing further, it soon covers
a greater or less portion of the cerebellum. These are the prosimian
(Lemur) and simian stages. Finally it grows so far backward as to
completely cover the cerebellum, and so far forward as to project much
beyond the olfactory lobes. This is the human stage (Plate XII).
[Illustration: FIG. 27.—Dorsal view of the brain (and spinal cord) of a
human fœtus of about three months. Representing the marsupial phase of
development. cr, cerebrum; ol, optic lobes; cb, cerebellum; m, medulla;
bs, brachial enlargement of the spinal cord; ls, lumbar enlargement. The
thalami are entirely covered and hidden from view by the cerebrum.]
In the study of the phylogeny of the brain we found that the cerebrum
in fish, reptile, and lower marsupial is smooth. In the primitive
primates (Lemuroidea) it is convoluted; in the simiidæ it is still more
convoluted, while in man it reaches the climax of complexity in the
size, number, and sinuosity of its convolutions. The object of these
convolutions is to increase the surface of the cortex of the brain,
the cortex being the seat of psychic phenomena. Other things being
equal, the greater the amount of cortex the greater is the intelligence.
During its embryonic development the human cerebrum passes also through
the stage of smoothness to a convoluted condition; then through stages
of increasing complexity of convolutions. Simultaneously with this
advance of cerebral organization, there is an unfolding of increasing
intelligence.
The cerebellum presides over the co-ordination of the muscular movements
of the body. It also, like the cerebrum, passes through the fish,
reptile, marsupial, lemur, and simian phases. At first it consists only
of the median lobe; then the lateral lobes appear, at first small in
size, but getting larger and larger until they greatly surpass in bulk
the more primitive median portion. At first the cerebellum is smooth,
but as it develops, its fissures become greater and greater, thus
increasing its cortex, which presides over the muscular movements. With
the developing cerebellum are associated increasing powers of muscular
co-ordination; increasing delicacy and complexity of muscular movements.
Thus the ontogeny of the brain recapitulates its phylogeny.
THE BRAIN AND PSYCHIC PHENOMENA.
The bearing of the theory of evolution on ideas of creation, design, and
kindred subjects may briefly be referred to in connection with our views
about the relation of psychic phenomena to the brain.
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