UNDER THE MAPLES 



key to the origin of species in the slow and insensible 

 changes which he fancied species underwent during 

 the course of the geologic ages, and should thus 

 have used the phrase as the title of his book. Had 

 he called his work the "Variability of Species," or 

 the "Modification of Species," it would not have 

 been such a misnomer. Sudden mutations give us 

 new varieties, but not new species. In fact, of the 

 origin of species we know absolutely nothing, no 

 more than we do about the origin of life itself. 



Of the development of species we know some of 

 the factors that play a part, as the influence of 

 environment, the struggle for existence, and the 

 competitions of life. But do we not have to assume 

 an inherent tendency to development, an original 

 impulse as the key to evolution? Accidental condi- 

 tions and circumstances modify, but do not origi- 

 nate species. The fortuitous plays a part in retard- 

 ing or hastening a species, and in its extinction, but 

 not in its origin. The record of the rocks reveals 

 to us the relation of species, and their succession 

 in geologic time, but gives no hint of their origin, 



Agassiz believed that every species of animal and 

 plant was the result of a direct and separate act of 

 the Creator. But the naturalist sees the creative 

 energy immanent in matter. Does not one have 

 to believe in something like this to account for the 

 world as we see it? And to account for us also?— 

 a universal mind or intelligence 



168 



