230 THE PROBLEM OF EVOLUTION 



quite on one side, for we are not now concerned 

 with it. 



I turn now to Professor von Hansemann, and again 

 have to begin by pointing out a misunderstanding. 

 He fancies that I have declared the problem of the 

 evolution of animals not to be merely a zoological 

 question. I never have said such a thing; on the 

 contrary, I have always maintained that it is a 

 purely zoological question, in itself quite indepen 

 dent of every theory as to the cosmic position of 

 man, whether theistic or monistic. 1 



With reference to the relation in which Religion 

 and Science stand to one another, Professor von 

 Hansemann taunted me with not being able to 

 anticipate the decision of the Church. That is 

 true. As a theologian I am forbidden to do so, but 

 as a scientist I may go on quietly, with no fear of 

 interference. I am not tied down to any fixed 

 course, for one truth cannot stand in the way of 

 another. Here again we have a confusion of ideas. 



As to the occurrence of appendicitis among savages 

 I shall perhaps be in a position to give some informa 

 tion to the Professor later on. It would certainly 

 be very interesting if we could prove from statistics 

 that these inflammations are, for the most part, a 

 result of hypercivilisation. 2 



1 Cf on this subject pp. 6, 19, 22. 



2 In my remarks on Professor von Hansemann s speech, p. 153, I have 

 given my reasons for not regarding the vermiform appendix as a rudimen 

 tary organ. 



