IN MODERN SCIENCE. 



91 



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it seems past belief to introduce this into the 

 microcosm itself, and to see nothing in its ex- 

 quisite adjustments except the momentary equi- 

 librium of a well-balanced fight. Geological 

 history also adds to the absurdity of such a 

 view by showing the marvellous permanence 

 of many fbrms of life which have continued to 

 perpetuate themselves through almost immeas- 

 urable ages without material changes, thus 

 proving unanswerably the perfect adjustment 

 of their parts. 



Viewed rightly, this direct equilibration of the 

 parts of the animal seems to throw the greatest 

 possible doubt on the capacity of any form of 

 evolution to produce new species. It is cer- 

 tain, from the facts collected by Mr. Darwin 

 himself in his work on animals under domes- 

 tication, that when m.an disturbs the balance of 

 any organism by changing in any way the re- 

 lations of its parts, he introduces elements of 

 instability and weakness, which, despite the ef- 

 forts of nature to correct the evils resulting, 

 speedily lead to degeneracy, infertility, and ex- 

 tinction. Mr. T. Warren O'Neil of Philadel- 

 phia has recently argued this point with much 

 ability,* and has shown, on the testimony of 



* Refutation of Darwinism, Philadelphia, 1880. 



