A "Use" for Everything 137 



similar reply. I wish that somebody would 

 write a book about non-adaptations and misfits 

 in nature. 



No one knows what spines and thorns are 

 "for," and the true naturalist does not ask the 

 question. He does not assume that because 

 they would protect a man they would also pro- 

 tect another animal or a plant. He wants to 

 know how they came to be, and what is their 

 significance in the development of this particular 

 race. He wants proof that adaptations are 

 adaptations. He sets to work to find out. He 

 cannot find out as he rides by on his horse 

 especially if he rides a hobby-horse. 



This everything-has-a-use dogma is in part a 

 reaction from the teachings of Darwin and his 

 followers. The dogma of special creation was 

 overthrown. We were told that organisms and 

 attributes have persisted because of natural 

 selection because they were best fitted to per- 

 sist. The result, in many cases, is perfect 

 adaptation of every organ and attribute. There 

 followed a special literature on adaptation, 

 mimicry and the like. The precision and design 



