THE EVOLUTION-HYPOTHESIS. 439 



those of higher types, the evils inflicted form but a deduction 

 from the average benefits. The universal multiplication of 

 the most adapted must cause the spread of those superior 

 organisms which, in one way or other, escape the invasions 

 of the inferior; and so tends to produce a type less liable to 

 the invasions of the inferior. Thus the evils accompanying 

 evolution are ever being self-eliminated. Though there may 

 arise the question — Why could they not have been avoided? 

 there does not arise the question — Why were they deliber- 

 ately inflicted ? Whatever may be thought of them, it is clear 

 that they do not imply gratuitous malevolence. 



§ 121. In all respects, then, the hypothesis of evolution 

 contrasts favourably with the hypothesis of special creation. 

 It has arisen in comparatively-instructed times and in the 

 most cultivated class. It is one of those beliefs in the uni- 

 form concurrence of phenomena, which are gradually sup- 

 planting beliefs in their irregular and arbitrary concurrence; 

 and it belongs to a genus of these beliefs which has of late 

 been rapidly spreading. It is a definitely-conceivable hypo- 

 thesis; being simply an extension to the organic world at 

 large, of a conception framed from our experiences of indi- 

 vidual organisms; just as the hypothesis of universal gravi- 

 tation was an extension of the conception which our experi- 

 ences of terrestrial gravitation had produced. This definitely- 

 conceivable hypothesis, besides the support of numerous 

 analogies, has the support of direct evidence. We have proof 

 that there is going on a process of the kind alleged; and 

 though the results of this process, as actually witnessed, are 

 minute in comparison with the totality of results ascribed 

 to it, yet they bear to such totality a ratio ^s great as that 

 by which an analogous hypothesis is justified. Lastly, that 

 sentiment which the doctrine of special creations is thought 

 necessary to satisfy, is much better satisfied by the doctrine of 

 evolution; since this doctrine raises no contradictory impli- 



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