CHAPTER II 



THE METHOD OF EVOLUTION 



The two rival doctrines — Characters, inborn and acquired — 

 Lamarck's theory — Darwin's theory — Illustrations of the 

 two theories — The complexity of Lamarck's doctrine — The 

 simplicity of Darwin's — Limits within which Natural 

 Selection works — Reasons for rejecting Lamarck's doctrine 

 — Acquired characters not transmissible — Proofs drawn 

 from the body and mind of man. 



Evolution is said to occur when a species under- 

 goes a progressive and adaptive change ; as for 

 example when, during the course of generations, 

 the wings of a species of bird grow stronger, larger, 

 and better adapted for flight. During this process 

 it is plain that succeeding generations must, in 

 succession, become superior to those which preceded 

 them. The whole problem of evolution hinges on 

 the question : In what way is this improvement 

 effected ? By what method ? 



Only two theories of evolution are possible, or 

 even thinkable. All other theories, of which several 

 have been enunciated, are, from the nature of the 



