psychical aptitudes. That the Chimpanzee and the hideous Gorilla possess
close resemblances of structure to our own is obvious. But let us for a
moment consider their aptitudes. What differences, what a dividing gulf!
Without exalting ourselves as high as the famous reed of which Pascal
speaks, that reed which, in its weakness, by the mere fact that it knows
itself to be crushed, is superior to the world that crushes it, we may at
least ask to be shown, somewhere, an animal making an implement, which will
multiply its skill and its strength, or taking possession of fire, the
primordial element of progress. (Blaise Pascal(1623-1662). The allusion is
to a passage in the philosopher's "Pensees." Pascal describes man as a
reed, the weakest thing in nature, but "a thinking reed."--Translator's
Note.) Master of implements and of fire! These two aptitudes, simple though
they be, characterize man better than the number of his vertebrae and his
molars.

You tell us that man, at first a hairy brute, walking on all fours, has
risen on his hind-legs and shed his fur; and you complacently demonstrate
how the elimination of the hairy pelt was effected. Instead of bolstering
up a theory with a handful of fluff gained or lost, it would perhaps be
better to settle how the original brute became the possessor of implements
and fire. Aptitudes are more important than hair; and you neglect them
because it is there that the insurmountable difficulty really resides. See
how the great master of evolution hesitates and stammers when he tries, by
fair means or foul, to fit instinct into the mould of his formulae. It is
not so easy to handle as the colour of the pelt, the length of the tail,
the ear that droops or stands erect. Yes, our master well knows that this
is where the shoe pinches! Instinct escapes him and brings his theory
crumbling to the ground.

Let us return to what the Scoliae teach us on this question, which