168 SCIENCE REMAKING THE WORLD 



2. It is persistently misunderstood. From the press, 

 the lecture platform, and even the pulpit, one frequently 

 receives amazing statements in reference to organic 

 evolution. If it were made an essential feature of stu- 

 dent training, there would be developed a propaganda 

 of information instead of misinformation. 



3. It has revolutionized agriculture. The practical 

 handling of plants and animals in the way of improving 

 old forms and securing new ones, was made possible 

 and definite when the laws of inheritance began to be 

 uncovered through experimental work in evolution. 



j In brief, the purpose of a course in organic evolution 

 should be to give some appreciation of its meaning and 

 methods, to furnish a check on rash and unfounded 

 statements in reference to it, and to show how the study 

 of evolution has led to enormously practical results. 



PERIODS IN THE HISTORY OF EVOLUTION 



/ There have been three distinct periods in the history 

 of evolution, based upon the method of attack. These 

 three methods may be spoken of in general as specu- 

 lation, observation and inference, and experimentation. 

 I. SPECULATION. The idea of organic evolution is 

 as old as our record of men's thoughts, for all the old 

 mythologies are full of it. No modern man, therefore, 

 is responsible for the idea, although it is a common 

 misconception to load this responsibility upon certain 

 distinguished modern students of evolution. For ex* 

 ample, the name of Darwin is so conspicuous in connec- 

 tion with evolution that many seem to think that 

 Darwinism and evolution are synonymous. Until 1790, 



