Darwin-L Message Log 3:45 (November 1993)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<3:45>From WIKSTROM_N@mist.tele.su.se  Mon Nov  8 06:45:37 1993

Date: Mon, 8 Nov 93 13:46 GMT+0200
From: wikstrom_n@botan.su.se
Subject: early waterbaby
To: darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu

"Treschow, the acute Norwegian thinker and Minister in his Ider
till menniskosl{ktets filosofi, infers from several physiological
reasons that the genus before its appearance as man, in its shape
and way of life mostly resembled the Walrus, of which it is said
that he is the only animal, from the eye of which, like in man, tears
fall. He also remarks that in its vicinity are found, among aquatic
animals, the most highly developed representatives of the highest
land-animals, such as the Sea-monkey, the Sea-lion, the Sea-bear
etc.."
(This citation is from "Naturens Perfectibilitet" an address given
by Elias Fries at the general assembly of Scandinavian Scientists
at their Meeting in Copenhagen in 1847.
In all probability, Fries' citation refers to N. Treschow, Elementer
til Historiens Philosophie i forelaesninger holdne Vinteren 1806-
1807, Copenhagen 1811, an early example of idealistic
evolutionism in Scandinavia. Treshow may have been the first to
propose such a watery origin for mankind from physiological
grounds. That the weeping walrus was still current around the turn
of the century is witnessed by Lewis Carroll as well as Elias Fries.)

H-E Wanntorp

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