478 PHILOSOPHIC ZOOLOGY 



species. He further propounded a Theory of Evolution, which 

 attempted to explain how species have originated from those 

 which preceded them. But comparatively little attention was 

 paid to the evolutionary views of Lamarck and some other 

 naturalists till the year 18580 In that year a new Theory of 

 Evolution (now commonly known as Darwinism) was simul- 

 taneously propounded by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel 

 Wallace, who, working independently on facts collected in entirely 

 different parts of the world, had reached practically the same 

 conclusions regarding the manner in which organisms of different 

 kind have come into existence. The publication of Darwin's 

 epoch-making book, The Origin of Species, followed in 1859, and 

 since that date the doctrine of evolution has made steady head- 

 way, at first against strong and even embittered opposition, until 

 now the doctrine of special creation is almost entirely held by 

 those who have had no scientific training worthy the name, 

 together with some few others who cling tenaciously to the old 

 and once popular view. 



This chapter is concerned with the fact of Evolution, and not 

 with the various theories associated with the names of Darwin 

 and many others which attempt an explanation of that fact. 

 The distinction between the fact and its explanation is of im- 

 portance in a popular work like this. Botanists and zoologists, 

 after the manner of their kind, are constantly engaged in polemics 

 about all sorts of evolutionary problems, their controversies being 

 often not a little acrimonious, and sometimes even taking a 

 personal turn. These things, however, -are not unknown among 

 the votaries of other studies. But in such cases it is not the fact 

 of evolution that is in question, but this or that difficult question 

 as to the way in which it has come about. All are agreed that 

 evolution and not special creation has been and is the primary 

 law of organic nature, probably, indeed, of nature in general. 



Since the whole of this book has been written from the evolu- 

 tionary stand-point, much has already been adduced in support of 

 the fact of evolution, and it will therefore suffice to summarize 

 some of the chief arguments in its favour, following the order 

 adopted by Romanes (in Darwin and After Darwin). 



THE ARGUMENT FROM CLASSIFICATION. If the various kinds 

 or species of animal were absolutely separate creations we should 

 expect to find them clearly distinguishable from one another, 



