EVOLUTION. 



The Germans say, ** What is true is plain," but 

 many persons who begin to read about Evokition 

 meet the assertions, that the development of life pro- 

 ceeds from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous, 

 and that changes in the environment lead to differ- 

 entiation ; and, as these statements lack plainness, 

 the readers say : " What is obscure is false." Much 

 prejudice has been excited against Evolution by the 

 use of long words, which, though most serviceable 

 to the learned, are perplexing to the uninitiated. 



An abstract of many books is here presented in 

 plain language, and for a fuller exposition of the sub- 

 ject, in a remarkably lucid and interesting manner, 

 the reader is earnestly referred to a work lately issued 

 by Messrs. Chatto & Windus of London, and re- 

 published by Messrs. G. P. Putnam's Sons of New 

 York, " Chapters on Evolution," by Professor Andrew 

 Wilson of Edinburgh, a work which has been of much 

 service in the preparation of this paper. 



In earlier times it was believed that the earth was 

 a flat surface of moderate extent, roofed over by a 

 solid sky, under which were placed sun, moon, and 

 stars, small orbs designed to give light to the earth 

 around which they revolved. These people believed 



51133 



