Burma Shave

[Linda]

I think we're taking this out of context (hah!) 
You have to look at the sequence of images, not each one individually! 
Starting from bottom right to top it's clearly an ascent of women story. 
We have the beasts at the pond, representing the base populace, wallowing. 
Then that woman emerges into the ascendent, casting off her animal over skin and becoming fully human. 
Then above her we see several layers of women representing the different levels that humanity can aspire to. 
It's a clear morality story.

The Anaximander origin story might fit into that narrative, where humans were incubated in fish until they were fully grown, due to the earth being different than it is today and they needed to be protected. It might be that she represents one of the first modern humans. Once mature they could step out onto the land. It may also be why the fish nymph is androgenous?

For me the narrative had always gone the opposite direction in terms of the geography tour, but perhaps it does go in the direction you mention in terms of history of human migration.

There is also one of the animals that has its head in the water, and the head is coloured differently. Could this explain whales or dolphins, mammals that went back to live in the water? Funny that reptiles, fish, and mammals all seem to be represented. It does seem to call evolution to mind. I am not sure about the morality story as i see the other women as denoting other things but it is making some other ideas bounce around for me so thanks for that!