CHAPTER VII 



THE MEANING OF EVOLUTION 



Apart from experimental investigation, the results of 

 comparative anatomy, even if they are amplified by 

 those of comparative embryology, and even if they 

 include fossil as well as living organisms, do no more 

 than suggest the occurrence of an evolutionary process. 

 It is in vain that we attempt a demonstration of trans- 

 mutation of forms of life by showing that a similarity 

 of structure is to be observed in all animals belonging 

 to the same group. We may show successfully that 

 the skeleton of the limbs and limb-girdles of vertebrate 

 animals is anatomically the same series of parts, whether 

 it be the arms and legs of man, or the wings and legs 

 of birds, or the pectoral and pelvic fins of fishes : such 

 homologies as these were indeed suggested by the 

 mediaeval comparative anatomists apart altogether 

 from any notions as to an evolutionary process. We 

 may show that the simplicity of the skeleton of the 

 head of man is apparent only, and that in it are to be 

 traced most of the anatomical elements that enter into 

 the skull and visceral arches of the fish ; and that 

 fusions and losses and translocations of parts have 

 occurred and can be made to account for the observed 

 differences of form. All this might just as easily be 

 explained by assuming a process of special creation, 

 or the gradual development of a plan or design. Just 

 as God made Eve from a superfluous rib taken from 



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