514 EVOLUTION 
Again, the phenomenon of radioactivity teaches us that the 
atoms composing one chemical substance are transformed into 
those of another, and thus chemical substances are built up by 
the process of evolution. There seems to be but one thing that 
is constant and that is constant change. 
Evolution and the Doctrine of Special Creation. — The theory 
of evolution is directly opposed to the ‘‘ Doctrine of Special 
Creation.” The “ Doctrine of Special Creation ” is based upon 
a literal interpretation of the account of creation given in the 
Bible and, therefore, assumes that all things were created at the 
beginning of the world. According to the ‘“ Doctrine of Special 
Creation ” plants, animals, mountains, oceans, planets, and stars 
were created in the beginning by the Creator and have remained 
constant in all fundamental features until the present time. 
This means that Angiosperms and all other groups of plants, 
however simple or complex, did not come from simpler forms, 
but were made in the beginning and, therefore, have been in 
existence practically ever since the world began. It is thus 
seen that the ‘“ Doctrine of Special Creation ” is not at all in 
harmony with the theory of evolution, for the latter theory as- 
sumes that in the early history of the world there were only very 
simple organisms, and that from them through changes involving 
many millions of years the complex forms have been derived. 
Although a few believed in evolution even as far back as the 
Greek philosophers, the ‘‘ Doctrine of Special Creation ’’ pre- 
vailed until comparatively a short time ago. During the last 
150 years, the theory of evolution has gradually gained favor, 
and, since Charles Darwin’s time, it has gained such supremacy 
that it is now a fundamental conception not only in botany 
and zoélogy but also in such subjects as history, philosophy, 
sociology, and theology. 
Theories in Regard to Evolution. — The most difficult thing 
about evolution is its explanation. One can trace connection. 
between the higher and lower forms, but to explain just in wha’ 
way one form arose from another is not at all easy. Scientists 
are all convinced of the reality of evolution, but the forces or 
factors which bring about evolution are still under discussion. 
Earliest Theories. — Perhaps the oldest explanation of evo- 
lution was that of Erasmus Darwin, Goethe of Germany, and a 
few others of their time. According to the explanation of these 
