OF EVOLUTION. 99 



found form of the basal series to the newest 

 from the top bed. This is one of the completest 

 cases of transformism known in the animal king- 

 dom. 



I have now submitted to you such of the 

 evidences bearing upon evolution as it appeared 

 to me would most readily appeal to a quick 

 understanding and an unprejudiced mind. It 

 is, however, but a tithe of the evidence which 

 geology offers, and but a mere figment of that 

 which pertains to zoology. If the facts that I 

 have placed before you are true, and are prop- 

 erly interpreted, they must be held to be con- 

 clusive in favor of evolution ; if they mean noth- 

 ing, then science is a delusion and a snare, and 

 we will be compelled to begin anew our conception 

 of the universe, since the greater number of the 

 recognized truths of astronomy, of chemistry, 

 and of physics are based on facts identical in 

 character with those which I have adduced from 

 geology and paleontology. 



