et Imbecillitate Darwiniana. 8 1 



the evolution of species was determined by 

 the progressive evolution of the atmosphere, 

 calling into operation that organic power 

 of Nature which we see now actually repro- 

 ducing and occasionally altering species : 

 which we know to be a fact, and which de- 

 termines in the germ and is able to produce 

 forms that answer to and can effect ends. 

 That we do not comprehend this power is 

 no sufficient reason for denying it. 



For if it be granted, as it cannot be 

 denied, that under peculiar conditions ani- 

 mals have the power of producing children 

 to a certain extent unlike them, the only 

 question is one of degree. How far could 

 this power go ? A question to which no 

 answer can be returned. We simply do not 

 know. But certainly, a power which can 

 produce a spider or an elephant from 

 an undifferentiated potentiality cannot be 

 brushed aside and pronounced a priori, 

 G 



