88 EVOLUTION AND SOCIAL PROGRESS 



leaped into being, the &quot;saltation theory,&quot; goes 

 back in its origin as far as the epoch-making dis 

 coveries of Abbot Gregor Mendel, and was pro 

 posed at an early period by R. von Kolliker and 

 St. George Mivart, 3 its protagonists. Later it 

 was taken up and generally popularized by such 

 eminent scientists as Hugo de Vries, Bateson, 

 Korschinsky, Galton, Scott, Eimer, Emery and 

 a host of others. 



But the question may naturally be asked: If 

 we must admit the sudden appearance of species, 

 may we not as well assume instead their imme 

 diate production by direct creation, if so we de 

 sire, as by &quot;discontinuous variation?&quot; The new 

 theory, it may be said, lessens the difficulties 

 that might once have been urged against the di 

 rect creation theory of species. The fact is that 

 neither theology nor science forces us to accept 

 either one or the other conclusion. Theologi 

 cally we are at perfect liberty, for as Father 

 Knabenbauer, S.J., says: &quot;There is no objec 

 tion, so far as faith is concerned, to assuming 

 the descent of all plant and animal species from 

 a few types.&quot; 4 Scientifically we are equally free, 

 for no theory hitherto proposed can even re 

 motely be considered compelling in its evidence. 

 &quot;Evidence,&quot; indeed, is a large word to be used in 

 connection with evolutionary theorizing. What 



8 &quot;On the Genesis of Species.&quot; (1871.) 



* &quot;Catholic Enclycopedia,&quot; article* &quot;Evolution.&quot; 



