Page:Evolution of American Agriculture (Woodruff).djvu/17

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THE EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE
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ulties, so increased his courage, that his first excursions afield were the result of experiment, the product of pure daring, and in the nature of adventure. I like to imagine that first foray into the formerly forbidden realm—the hesitating progress outward from the shadows, club in hand—the savage dash of the wild dog—the sure swing of the weapon—the crash of wood on flesh—the yelp—the angry snarl—the crash again—blow on blow—the savage shrieks—the howls of pain—the panic stricken flight of the dog—and the new "man," bleeding, bellowing in his fury, brandishing his club, but victorious—master of the scene.

From encounter to encounter man went, contending for every inch of his progress. Gradually he became more erect upon his hips; his feet and legs changed to conform to his new environment; the set of the head upon the spinal column changed; the brain-pan enlarged; the brain developed; the infinity of new experiences produced a higher intelligence and man become truly man. At first he dwelt in caves, from which he drove the wolf and bear. He lived on fruits and nuts and roots and berries; on birds and small wild creatures which he caught with greatest cunning. Then he discovered fire and later, the art of cookery.

Wonderful! Wonderful was the discovery of fire! It is the turning point in prehistoric life. It set man completely apart from the balance of animated nature. It divorced him from the beasts and pointed the way to the conquest of the Earth. It extended his hunting grounds to the rivers, lakes and seas—for now, through cookery, he could safely eat the fish. It broadened his range of travel and robbed