CREATION BY EVOLUTION 



photographs of these fossils from the base of the series to 

 the top, and copy them on a cinematograph film we could 

 see evolution taking place before our eyes. 



Let us remember that this change of one species into 

 another took thousands of years, probably hundreds of thou- 

 sands; then we shall not expect to find evidence that similar 

 changes have taken place during the brief span of historical 

 time. 



One should note also, both in this case and in others that 

 are equally well established, how very regular is the course 

 of the change. A drunken man staggers along, veering from 

 one side of the road to the other, stumbling and stopping at 

 random. His aim is not visible; his course cannot be fore- 

 seen. How different is the flight of an arrow towards its 

 mark; rising from the archer's bow, and then sinking in one 

 gentle unbroken curve till it pierces the bull's-eye! This 

 mathematical regularity is due to the momentum imparted 

 by the bow and to the pull of gravity; any deflections due to 

 the wind can be allowed for and calculated. Of like nature, 

 and no less due to natural causes, is the regular change of an 

 evolving series of animals. But whatever may be its cause, 

 the regularity is such that the palaeontologist can predict the 

 existence of forms still unknown, but required, on his theory, 

 to fill a gap or to extend the series backward. Such forms 

 have often been found in accordance with his prediction. 

 This power of correct prediction is generally held to be the 

 strongest proof of any scientific theory. 



For these reasons palaeontologists are bound in honesty to 

 accept evolution; but equally in honesty they must confess 

 that they do not yet know all its laws or all its causes. That 

 they disagree upon what they do not know does not prove 

 their testimony false if they agree upon what they do know. 



[110] 



