Summary 191 



is whether these "indents" or "impressions" can be, 

 even in a minutely representative way, entailed on 

 the offspring. The Lamarckian theory of evolution 

 assumes that this is possible, but the experimental 

 demonstration of this is inconclusive. But it would 

 be premature to foreclose the question. 



18. Since Darwin's day the range of the "fortui- 

 tous" in evolution has been much reduced. Many 

 variations have a notable definiteness ; many are cor- 

 related with others; many are congruent with what 

 has been previously established. The facts of he- 

 redity are much more orderly than was previously 

 supposed. Even in Natural Selection there is less 

 fortuitousness than might be thought, for the sifting 

 is in relation to an established Systema Naturce, and 

 organisms often play an active part in their own evo- 

 lution. They play their hand of hereditary cards; 

 they often select their environment. 



19. The evolutionist picture discloses on the whole 

 a progressive integration. The advance has been 

 towards increased fineness, fullness, and freedom of 

 life. Often the organic trend is like an anticipation 

 of man's best endeavors. There is a strong suggestion 

 of purposiveness. The evolutionist picture is in har- 

 mony with the religious vision. 



