14 GENERAL EVOLUTION. 



III. OK THE CAUSES OF EVOLUTIOISr. 



1. Inductive Reasoning. 



In the present investigation we are endeavoring to discover 

 new principles, not to apply old ones. The work is similar to 

 that which occupied Newton in his investigation of the law of 

 attraction or gravitation. The jirocess by which we arrive at 

 general truths rests on the consideration of a sufficient number 

 of observed facts, and the determined qualities which are common 

 to all we regard as a law. This process requires for its proper 

 conduct a careful analysis and discrimination of the nature of the 

 objects considered ; otherwise fallacy will result. As exact analy- 

 sis is not always observed by the average mind, this inductive 

 reasoning is not always successfully employed by it, nor under- 

 stood when presented by others. In the deductive process it is 

 more at home. With an ascertained principle given, as some- 

 thing like a staff for the mind to lean on, its application is not so 

 difficult ; but to such a mind induction presents an appearance 

 of uncertainty and eVen of confusion, and these will certainly 

 exist until order is evoked by the first step — classification. The 

 theory of evolution has thus been charged with confusion, as 

 though it asserted that which oyertiirew the order of nature. But 

 the confusion only exists in the mind of such critics. The order 

 of the creation is one of the foundation facts, and thus enters 

 the inductive argument as one of its elements. That conclu- 

 sion which is consistent with this order can not be regarded as its 



to"- 



enemy. 



2. On Natural Selection. 



In endeavoring to assign a cause for the existence of the pecul- 

 iar structures which define the divisions among animals, Messrs. 

 Wallace and Darwin have proposed the now well-known law of 

 natural selection. This states, that, inasmuch as slight variations 

 appear continually in all species, it is evident that some will be 

 more beneficial to the animal than others, in its exertions to sup- 

 ply itself with food, protect itself from enemies, the weather, etc. 

 It then asserts that those whose peculiarities are beneficial will 

 excel those less favored, in the successful use of their powers, and 

 hence will live better, grow better, and increase more rapidly. 

 That by the force of numbers, if not by direct conflict, they will 

 ultimately supersede the weaker and destroy or drive them away. 



