' Evolution is the most striking feature of modern scientific thought, hence all that 

 terms itself evolution must be scientific such seems to be the logic of the average 

 reviewer, and, we regret to say it, of some men of science who ought to know better. 

 The fact is that the word " evolution " has been so terribly abused, first by the biologists, 

 then by pseudo-scientists, and lastly by the public, that it has become a cant term to 

 cover any muddle-headed reasoning, which would utterly fail to justify itself had it 

 condescended to apply the rule of three. A variety of ill-described and ill-appreciated 

 factors of change have all been classed together and entitled the theory of evolution.' 



Socialism and Natural Selection, by KARL PEARSON, 

 Fortnightly Review, July 1894, p. I. 



