288 THE CASE AGAINST EVOLUTION 



(Op. cit, ch. XIV, p. 469.) For Darwin "judging by analogy" 

 meant judging on the assumption that evolution has really 

 taken place; for he describes rudimentary organs as being 

 "of such slight service that we can hardly suppose that they 

 were developed under the conditions which now exist." ("De- 

 scent of Man," ch. I, p. 29.) 



He is somewhat perplexed about applying this distinction 

 to the penguin: "The wing of the penguin," he admits, "is of 

 high service, acting as a fin; it may, therefore, represent the 

 nascent state: not that I believe this to be the case; it is more 

 probably a reduced organ, modified for a new function." 

 ("Origin of Species," 6th ed., ch. XIV, pp. 469, 470.) In other 

 words, there is scarcely any objective consideration by which 

 the validity of this distinction can be checked up in practice. 

 Like homology and convergence, like palingenesis and caeno- 

 genesis, the distinction between rudimentary and nascent 

 organs is a convenient device, which can be arbitrarily manip- 

 ulated according to the necessities of a preconceived theory. 

 It is "scientific" sanction for the privilege of blowing hot and 

 cold with the same breath. 



The assumption that atrophy and reduction are the inev- 

 itable consequence of disuse, or diminution of use, in so far as 

 this decreases the flow of nourishing blood to unexercised 

 parts, is certainly erroneous. Yet Darwin made it the premise 

 of his argument from so-called rudimentary organs. "The 

 term 'disuse' does not relate," he informs us, "merely to less- 

 ened action of muscles, but includes a diminished flow of blood 

 to the part' or organ, from being subjected to fewer alterna- 

 tions of pressure, or from being in any way less habitually 

 active." ("Origin of Species," 6th ed., p. 469.) As a matter 

 of fact, however, we have many instances in which use has 

 failed to develop and disuse to reduce organs in certain types 

 of animals. As an example in point, we may cite the case of 

 right-handedness among human beings. From time imme- 

 morial, the generality of mankind have consistently used the 

 right hand in preference to the left, without any atrophy or 



