THE DOGMA OF EVOLUTION 



til a new species is formed. Given a Divine Intelli- 

 gence to guide organisms, as man directs those in a 

 domesticated state, and the problem is solved, but 

 that is the last admission the scientific evolutionist is 

 prepared to make; he will admit only nature and nat- 

 ural law, whatever those words may mean. 



Let us now discuss the arguments for and against 

 the doctrine of natural selection from the biological 

 point of view.^^ Man has by selective breeding pro- 

 duced great diversities in structure and habits of do- 

 mesticated animals and plants. He has, for example, 

 produced dogs as different as the mastiff and the toy 

 spaniel which have sufficient structural differences to 

 be classed almost as different species. He has even 

 been able to produce characteristics which are detri- 

 mental to the comfort of the animal, or dangerous to 

 its life, such as the fan-tail of the pigeon. And, in 

 every case, he has not considered the advantage of the 

 organism but his own desires or whims. These di- 

 versities, he has obtained by breeding together indi- 

 viduals which possess some pronounced trait in com- 



16 The literature on the subject is so extensive that only a few of 

 the main points can be touched. I have been careful to verify my 

 statements and have accepted unreservedly the experimental results 

 of competent authorities. The reader may verify them either from 

 his own knowledge or by consultation of the sources. One thing 

 must be kept clearly in mind, the scientific theory of natural selec- 

 tion is subject to the limitations of inductive reasoning; it may be 

 supported by many facts but if other facts are clearly contrary 

 to its acceptance, then it is not an acceptable theory. The reader 

 should also be careful not to depend on popular or even technical 

 works which are specially written in support of the theory ; they 

 are almost without exception biased to the extent, at least, of mag- 

 nifying the facts which support it. It is far safer to refer to bio- 

 logical monographs and to general texts. 



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