20 MYTH AND SCIENCE. 



I admit that evidence for the complete demon- 

 stration of this theory is sometimes wanting ; the 

 gaps between the fossil fauna and flora and those of 

 modern times are neither few nor unimportant ; but 

 on the other hand, such proofs are accumulating, and 

 the gaps are filled up every day, so that we may 

 almost assert that in some way or other, by means 

 somewhat different from those on which we now rely, 

 the great rational principle of evolution will be suc- 

 cessfully and permanently established. 



It is more than twenty j^ears since, in ways and 

 by study peculiar to ourselves, we first devoted our- 

 selves to this theory, and while we gave a conscientious 

 consideration to opposite theories, so as to estimate 

 with sincerity their importance and value, we could 

 not relinquish our conviction that every advance in 

 physical, biological, and social science served to con- 

 firm the theory of evolution. 



It must not be supposed that I make any dogmatic 

 assertion, which might possibly be erroneous, when I 

 say that the evidence of facts does not contradict the 

 assumptions of modern science. Sincere convictions 

 should offend no one, nor do they indicate an 

 a priori conflict with other beliefs. Every one is 

 justified in thinking his own thoughts when he speaks 

 with moderation and supports his peculiar opinions 

 with a certain amount of learning. 



It is not denied, even by those who oppose modern 

 theories respecting the genesis of organisms, that 



