THE PROBLEM: THE MODE OF ITS SOLUTION 3 



the study of the past. The deciphering of man's past 

 history is the great aim of Biology, and ultimately of 

 all Science. For the question of Man's past is only 

 a part of a greater question, the origin of all living 

 species. 



We may say broadly that concerning the origin of 

 species two theories, and only two, seem possible. 

 The first theory is that every species is the result of 

 an act of immediate creation. And every true species, 

 however slightly it may differ from its nearest relative, 

 represents such a creative act, and once created is 

 practically unchangeable. This is the theory of im- 

 mutability of species. According to the second theory 

 all higher, probably all present existing, species are 

 only mediately the result of a creative act. The first 

 living germ, whenever and however created, was in- 

 fused with power to give birth to higher species. Of 

 these and their descendants some would continue to 

 advance, others would degenerate. Each theory de- 

 mands equally for its ultimate explanation a creative 

 act ; the second as much as, if not more than, the first. 

 According to the first theory the creative power has 

 been distributed over a series of acts, according to the 

 second theory it has been concentrated in one primal 

 creation. The second is the theory of the mutability 

 of species, or, in general, of evolution, but not neces- 

 sarily of Darwinism alone. 



The first theory is considered by many the more at- 

 tractive and hopeful. Now a theory need not be at- 

 tractive, nor at first sight appear hopeful, provided 

 only it is true. But let me call your attention to cer- 

 tain conclusions which, as it appears to me, are neces- 

 sarily involved in it. Its central thought is the prac- 



