Examples of Continuity 41 



is to say, back through the ages — we find an uninterrupted 

 series in which those lying nearest each other are indis- 

 tinguishable, and yet the whole showing a steady transition 

 from one extreme to the other (Fig. 7) . Under these circum- 

 stances one can hardly question the genetic continuity of the 



Fig. 7. Divergence of Type with Descent 



A study of fossil snails shows a continuity of transition from the oldest (the 

 lowest in the diagram) to the most recent (the top row). The right end in the 

 top row corresponds to k in Figure 6; the bottom form is represented by tf in 

 Figure 6. The study shows also divergence or branching out at successive periods. 

 After Neumayr. 



