136 EVOLU TION A ND D OGMA . 



As a theory, Evolution certainly reposes on as 

 firm a foundation as do the atomic theory of matter 

 and undulatory theory of light, or as does Newton's 

 theory of universal gravitation. And as these theo- 

 ries have been of priceless service to the chemist, the 

 physicist and the astronomer, in the study of their 

 respective sciences, so also has Evolution been of 

 untold value to the naturalist, in enabling him to 

 coordinate a vast body of facts, that else were naught 

 but a stupendous chaotic mass. It has proved to 

 him to be an "open sesame" to many of nature's 

 secrets, and like the clue of Ariadne, it has enabled 

 him to find his way out of the bewildering labyrinth 

 in which every true student of nature must pass at 

 least a portion of his existence. 



It is said that " a striking corroboration of a scien- 

 tific theory is furnished when it enables us correctly 

 to predict discoveries." Judged by this standard 

 Evolution can compare favorably with the best ac- 

 credited theories of modern science. It will suffice 

 to refer to but two cases in point, although it were 

 easy to adduce numerous others. 



en evidence par des savants spiritualistes et Chretiens, tels que 

 D'Omalius d'Halloy et Albert Gaudry, et dont M. de Nadaillac 

 nous a concede la realite". Le fixisme, au contraire, en est 

 re"duit a invoquer une filiation intellectuelle dans la pense"e du 

 Createur, une sorte d'evolutionisme ideal. On comprend cela 

 pour un architecte humain, qui ne peut pas tirer une cathe"drale 

 d'une cathedrale sinon par imitation. Mais celui dont ' les 

 dons sont sans repentance' detruira-t-il sans cesse ce qu'il a 

 cree pour recreer a nouveau ? Ne preferera-t-il pas conserver 

 a ses creatures une vie renouvelee et rajeunie dans une descend- 

 ance qu'il perfectionnera de generation en generation, recom- 

 pensant par 1'ascension de fils la fidelite dea progdniteurs a leur 

 lois naturelles." " Compte Rendu," Section d'Anthropologie, 

 p. 27. 



