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CHAPTER VII. 

 THE FACTOKS OF EVOLUTION. 



WE may now take the Evolution Theory as proved. Our 

 opinions may alter in detail concerning the phylogenetic relation- 

 ship of the organic world and suffer modifications, but the hypo- 

 thesis that the simpler preceded the more complicated, the 

 lower the higher, chronologically and causally, must now be 

 regarded as an established fact of scientific research. 



It is, however, a different question when we ask what causes 

 have effected these modifications and development of the species. 

 The most comprehensive and thorough attempt at explanation 

 is made by the so-called Darwinian Theory. In many circles, 

 in particular in those who are hostile to the evolution theory 

 'the monkey hypothesis,' as it is sarcastically called the 

 Darwinian theory and the doctrine of evolution are regarded as 

 identical, and it is assumed that if the ingenious hypothesis of 

 the great British naturalist, the fundamental principle of which 

 is the theory of natural selection and the survival of the fittest, 

 can be refuted such refutation would at the same time dispose 

 finally of the theory of descent. 



We cannot protest too strongly against the confusion of the 

 teachings of Darwin with the doctrine of evolution. They are 

 strictly separate, for the hypothesis of natural selection takes the 

 evolution of organic life as proved, and merely claims to give an 

 explanation of the forces which were active in the changes of 

 the organic world, and of the methods by which the origin of the 

 higher organisms from simpler ancestors may have taken place. 

 Even if the doctrine of this great naturalist should be proved 

 to be erroneous, such proof would in no way affect the accuracy 

 of the evolution theory. All that would be attained in that event 

 would be the admission that science has so far been unable to 



