Claypolc] lit) [April 1, 



theory of evolution favored by the writers above quoted is not in harmony 

 with the facts, and in the second place to prove that, taken as a whole, 

 the phenomena of nature in the organic world are much more easily ex- 

 plained by the principle of indefinite variation.* 



To prevent ambiguity and perhaps misunderstanding it will be well to 

 define at the outset the principal terms that will be employed in this paper. 



"Variation" will be here taken to mean all deviations of every kind and 

 degree from perfect resemblance to the immediate parents of the organism 

 whether animal or vegetable. This is the widest signification which it is 

 possible to give and with no other can any useful conclusion be reached. 

 Any limitation can only result in invalidating the argument because it 

 would confine the discussion to a special part of the subject indicated by 

 such limitation. The universal signification to be here employed is also 

 the only fair interpretation that can be accepted by all Evolutionists. 



The organism in which such Variation is supposed possible will be 

 called a "Variable." The term is borrowed from mathematics and will 

 be understood to mean an animal or plant possessing the capability of 

 varying whether that capability be latent or active. At any one given 

 instant this power may be always considered latent, time being a necessary 

 element in actual variation. 



When from any cause this possible variation has become actual and the 

 organism shows progressive resulting changes, this organism may be 

 called a "Variant." And again when a series of changes is complete or 

 when any particular phase is intended the organism in that stage may be 

 called a " Variate." Thus the term "Variable " will indicate that change 

 is possible ; "Variant," that such change is in process, and "A^ariate," 

 that it is complete, at least for the time, in any given organism. 



The term "beneficial" will be employed to characterize any change 

 that conduces to the longer life of the variant organism ; this being, for 

 the most part, and other things being equal, the greatest benefit that can 

 accrue to it. I do not deny that there are exceptional cases in which 

 other inherited or acquired advantages may outweigh even this usually 

 supreme one. But almost always a long life may be considered the most 

 conducive to the continuance of the species as it indicates vigor in the in- 

 dividual and increases the chances of multiplication. 



The expression " Tendency to Variation," sometimes employed by 

 writers on this subject, either commits an author to the views here opposed 

 (for such tendency must have a cause) or it is meaningless. When varia- 

 tion occurs it must have been antecedently possible. But its occurrence 

 is our only proof of this possibility. Of any "tendency to variation " in- 

 herent in the organism we have no proof whatever. For all that we 



*The possible assertion that variation is always beneficial in consequence of some 

 cause underlying the constitution of the organic and inorganic worlds and their relation 

 to one another will not be here considered. No writer has, so far as I am aware, ever 

 distinctly enounced it and moreover it will be excluded if, as I hope, I shall succeed in 

 showing that as a fact variation is not always beneficial. 



