31 



V. 



Change in Specks and in Hunian Hisfonj and Development. 



Mr. Darwin's tlieory of evolution, or "the origin of 

 species by natural selection," as an independent scientific 

 theory, has seemed from the first inadequate to explain the 

 (jrand ayid systematic series of changes that have brouglit tlu5 

 countless varieties of species that now exist upon the earth, 

 to tlieir present condition. 



The gradual revolution produced by the continual tranrs- 

 mutation of matter, is the great corresponding cosmical cause 

 of change that has gicen direction to the operation of natural 

 selection^ unfitting the earth at every period of past time, 

 for the continuation of the propagation of identical organ- 

 isms — save such as are of the simplest possible structure. 



The strongest individuals of existing species adapt them- 

 selves to changing conditions, not only slowly varying witli 

 them, hut improving and attaining a higher state of develop- 

 ment. Other grades of physical powers, adapting them- 

 selves more or less perfectly to altering external circum- 

 stances, the weaker dying off as fast as it becomes impossible 

 for them to adapt themselves to any further change. Past con- 

 ditions never returning, there can never ])e a return to past 

 types ; and the various peculiarities long observed in the 

 nature of succeeding organic remains in the earth's crust, 

 will be explained by this theory — while other branches of 

 science will be found to be involved in such a general 

 cause of change, and it is hoped will be advanced by its 

 promulgation. 



It is the ''kyioivn cause'' by which "stations" must un- 

 questionably be modified, pfroducing changes every where over 

 the whole earth, at every period of time. These transmuta- 

 tions are gradual, the cause that produces them must act 



