ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM 



15 



used to indicate the scientific value of the endeavours 

 at explanation, ' hypotheses/ ' theories/ or even ' doc- 

 trines/ are constantly changing. We believe that the 

 expression * theory of evolution ' best fits the present 

 position of the scientific world. We will, however, 

 use the other expressions as opportunity demands. 



A1]_}iypnf,V>p.aes must ^according to the scientific 

 principles generally followed, start from the present 

 observation of the organisms concerned, and may not, 

 as a basis of explanation, combine therewith anything 

 which is contradictory to the certain teachings of other 

 sciences, especially that of philosophy. They must 

 furthermore state precisely what they really claim to 

 explain and therefore must above all things adhere 

 to the results of paleeontological research. 



3. Conclusions from Chapter I. 



As is seen from the above, it is not a question in 

 this chapter of a positive proof of a descent of the 

 present organic forms from earlier ones. A genetic 

 connection is only accepted in order to avoid what_ 

 is regarded as an unnatural presentation of repeated 

 annihilations and new creations of entire organic worlds. 

 TChedifficulty in winch investigators were placed by the 

 catastrophic theory has become greater and greater 

 since fossils were discovered in the deepest strata, 

 while even within the compass of single formations 

 changes were observed in certain animal and plant 

 groups, and particularly since geological processes of 



