S4 i i i rUBtt "\ i:\ oLrnnN ui 



there will be modification of change ami 

 form. 



Thus the existence of these persistent typos, as 

 I li;i\ .- tuned them, is no real obstacle in the way 

 bh( .iie..ry of evolution. Take the case of the 

 scorpions to which I have just referred. N<> 

 doubt, since the Carboniferous epoch, conditions 

 have always obtained, such as existed when tin- 

 scorpions of that epoch flourished ; conditions in 

 which scorpions find themselves better off, mure 

 competent to deal with the difficulties in their way, 

 i han any variation from the scorpion type which they 

 i nay have produced; and, forthat reason, the scorpion 

 type has persisted, and has not been supplanted by 

 my other form. And there is no reason, in tin- 

 nature of things, why, as long as this world exists, if 

 there be conditions more favourable to scorpions 

 than to any variation which may arise from them, 

 these forms of life should not persist. 



Therefore, the stock objection to the hypothesis 

 of c-volution, based on the long duration of certain 

 animal and vegetable types, is no objection at all. 

 The facts of this character and they are numer- 

 ous l>eloii<_; to that class of evidence which Ihave 

 ailed indifferent That is to say, they may afford 

 no direct support to the doctrine of evolution, but 

 hey are capable of being interpreted in perfect 



istencv with it. 



Thriv la another ..rder of facts belonging to the 

 :<',< or indifferent e\ idemv. The 



