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PREFACE ^^<^J> 



TN this enlightened age, the word Evolution arouses 

 unfortunate prejudices in certain sections. State legis- 

 latures have enacted laws forbidding the teaching of its 

 principles in the public schools. An attempt has been made 

 to enlighten the general public on the beauty and harmony 

 of these principles and their relation to all things. 



The primary object of this book is to present to the 

 reader in simple language and in the fewest words a com- 

 prehensive story of the development of life. Within the 

 memory of those still living, Science has added to the 

 storehouse of knowledge more harmonious facts relating 

 to natural law than had been accumulated by all the pre- 

 ceding generations of men. And yet, great numbers of 

 typical individuals who have, perhaps, been denied the 

 opportunity to pursue their systematic education very far, 

 are deeply ignorant of many of these facts. In many cases, 

 the story of scientific discoveries is so circumscribed by tech- 

 nical terms that the simple truth becomes clouded and not 

 easily understood. 



Evolution embraces all of Science and all of Art. These 

 are divided into many branches. A lifetime may be spent 



[5] 



