It seems as if the organ had been prepared in anticipation of the future {279} progress of man, since it contains latent capacities which are useless to him in his earlier condition.

The delicate correlations of structure that give it such marvellous powers, could not therefore have been acquired by means of Natural Selection." [Illustration: FIBRES OF CORTI.] To this may be added the no less wonderful faculty in the ear of appreciating delicate musical tones, and the harmony of chords.
It matters not what part of the organ subserves this function, but it has been supposed that it is ministered to by the fibres _of Corti_.[301] Now it can hardly be contended that the preservation of any race of men in the struggle for life could have depended on such an extreme delicacy and refinement of the internal ear,[302]--a perfection only fully exercised in the enjoyment and appreciation of the most exquisite musical performances.
Here, surely, we have an instance of an organ preformed, ready beforehand for such action as could never by itself have been the cause of its development,--the action having only been subsequent, not anterior.

The Author is not aware what may be the minute structure of the internal ear in the highest apes, but if (as from analogy is probable) it is much as in man, then _a fortiori_ we have an instance of _anticipatory_ development of a most marked and unmistakable kind.

And this is not all.

There is no {280} reason to suppose that any animal besides man appreciates musical _harmony_.