Diversions of a NaturalistLankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir
History
Diversions of a Naturalist
Lankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir
Natural history
He is still incompletely adapted to the upright pose.
The arms of man are relatively shorter and his legs much longer than
in the man-like apes. The Neandermen were more ape-like in these
proportions than are modern races of man, and show also an "ape-like"
curvature of the thigh bone which in man is straight. Whilst the arm
and hand of man has gradually become a more delicate thing than that
of the apes, and capable of much greater variety and efficiency in the
movements of its parts, this condition has come about by alteration
in proportions and to some extent shape, and not by any great change
in construction. Only two muscles exist in connexion with man's hand
not found in that of the higher apes. They are small slips adding to
the efficiency of the fingers and thumb, whilst in the foot there is
in man a small muscle connected with its outer border--"the peroneus
tertius"--which helps to keep the sole of the foot turned downwards,
and is not present in the apes. The general shape and proportionate
size of the muscles of the leg in man give it a very different
appearance from that of the ape; but there are no muscles or bones
present which are not found in the apes. The beautiful outline and form
of the human leg and buttocks are directly the result of the increased
size of certain muscles used in maintaining the upright position,
and in the peculiarly human swing of the leg in walking and running.
Their beauty, like that of the other specially human features which we
consider beautiful, depends upon the fact that their development, in
due proportion, is a necessary condition of efficiency, activity, and
strength in movements and attitudes which have gradually been acquired
by man, and distinguish him from the apes. Our admiration for them is
a sort of self-love, a worship of an ideal of efficiency and balance
which is specifically "human," and is more or less fully realized in
every individual. Probably sexual selection has had a large share in
thus moulding the human form. The apes do not present the development
of the gluteal region characteristic of man, and the muscles of both
the arms and legs in them are, though very powerful, less fleshy and
more "stringy" than those of man. There is, indeed, a difference
of "quality" in the muscles of apes and men, especially civilized
men, which needs investigation by the microscopist and experimental
physiologist.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account