CHAPTER II. 



CERTAIN PROOFS OF THE DOCTRINE OF DESCENT. 



ALL the common phenomena of Morphology and 

 Physiology, of Chorology and (Ekology, of Ontology 

 and Paleontology, can be explained by the theory 

 of descent, and referred to simple mechanical causes. 

 It is precisely in this, viz., that the primary simple 

 causes of all these complex aggregates of phenomena 

 are common to them all, and that other mechanical 

 causes for them are unthinkable -it is in this that, 

 to us, the guarantee of their certainty consists. For 

 this reason all these vast and manifold aggregates of 

 facts are so many evidences of the doctrine of descent. 

 This fundamental relation of facts has been so often 

 expounded that I need dwell no farther on it in this 

 place ; those who wish for any closer discussion of 

 it are referred to my " General Morphology " (vol. ii. 

 chap, xix.), or " The History of Creation," * or 

 " The Evolution of Man" (vol. i. p. 93). 2 



And where is yet farther proof of the truth of the 



1 Vol. ii., p. 334 of translation. 



- London : C. Kegan Paul & Co. 1879. 



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