42 
different species has been naturally evolved from one simpler 
than itself. 
3. If the existence of the higher forms of life were ac- 
counted for by slow evolutions from the lowest, then the 
paleontologic history should unquestionably present us with 
this state of facts: First, with a period of the simplest forms, 
as the radiates; then, afterwards, with a period of more 
developed forms, as molluscs; then with the still higher, as 
the articulates ; and then with a period of the highest. But 
the state of the facts is exactly the opposite. All the 
paleontologic periods give us some of the four groups 
contemporaneously. 
4. The methods of nature, in the formation of the four 
groups, are essentially different. While some of the species 
belonging to one group have a higher organisation than 
others, they all display a community of plan in their structure. 
But when we pass to another group, we meet a different 
plan. Hence we infer that even if we could do what has 
never been done, find an actual case of the evolution of a 
species from a lower one of the same group; the barriers 
separating the groups as grand divisions, would still be in- 
superable. Their several plans of structure are too different 
for the transmutation of one into another. 
5. Men speak of organic life as if its different species 
formed one regular and continuous series “from the monad 
up to man.” ‘This is found to be a misconception. The 
animal kingdom is composed of a number of partial series. 
When the attempt is made to range all these in one single 
continuous series, fatal dislocations appear. ‘The line of 
progress is not a continuous ascending line. 
6. The theory of evolution assigns great force to the in- 
fluence of “ environment,” in developing organs into those of 
a new species. But naturalists tell us that they find a number 
of the most diversified types existing and prospering together 
for long ages, under identical circumstances. But, were 
evolution true, the identity of the whole environment ought 
to be working an assimilation of the various types subjected 
to it. Again, identical species are found persisting for long 
ages under the most diversified environments. These facts 
show that there has been deposited within each species its 
own form of vital energy, which resists differentiation, and 
insists, against any influence of a changed environment, on 
reproducing only its own type. The rational inference is, 
that either each species is eternal, an impossible proposition, 
or else each points to an extra-natural Power, which deposited 
its specific vital energy in it at its beginning. 
