the theory of Lamarck, somewhat altered, favored by the 

 results of historical investigation, appears more striking 

 and now seems more in harmony with facts than formerly. 

 What is considered by one as the ruling factor in the evo- 

 lution of organisms is regarded by another as a "quantite 

 negligeable" or even as the greatest mistake of the century. 

 In this discord of opinions the principle of Descent alone 

 forms the stable pole." 



Thus Steinmann, and we can but applaud his conclu- 

 sions with undisguised pleasure, for they tend throughout 

 in the direction of our anti-Darwinian view, and deal Dar- 

 winism another fatal blow. It is also worthy of special 

 note that this time the blow is dealt from the side of palae- 

 ontology; for, even if now and again we dissent from 

 Steinmann, in this we fully agree with him that the his- 

 torical method" of considering the evidences of bygone pe- 

 riods of creation is at the very least quite as important fot 

 passing correct judgment regarding descent, as is the in- 

 vestigation of contemporary living organisms. Indeed, 

 family-trees were constructed without regard for palaeon- 

 tology, almost exclusively from an examination of present 

 conditions, and sometimes the author did not even shrink 

 from falsification. This procedure has been bitterly re- 

 venged and will take further revenge unless at length st 

 definite end be put to the family-tree nuisance and the re- 

 spective books instead of being published anew, be rele- 

 gated to the lumber-room of science^ there to turn yellow 

 amid dust and cobwebs — the curious evidence of gross 

 folly. But only have patience, even that time will come. 



67 



