CHAPTER IV. 



Reversion not a Law, Sui Generis ; but a Derivative Law, 

 Assimilable to other Well Known Laws. 



We have shown Reversion to be a most potent 

 factor, and proven it to be abundantly able to explain 

 every improvement which has arisen, or which may 

 arise, under Nature, or under domestication. Although 

 it does not explain the origin of the development of 

 each species, it does explain, clearly and fully, what 

 that phase of development is, which, in Biology, has 

 been termed Progress. It does explain, — and explains 

 them in a manner inconsistent with Darwin's theory, — 

 all those slight increments or gradations of growth, 

 called variations or improvements, upon which Darwin 

 endeavors to base his theory. 



As heretofore used, the word, Progress, has been 

 simply a metaphysical entity, with as little title to 

 recognition, by science, as have "innate tendency," 

 "inherent aptitude," "vital force," or any of those 

 other, barren terms by which men have shaped ignor- 

 ance into the semblance of knowledge. There is a law 

 of Progress ; but that law, when rightly resolved, is 

 Reversion, or the regain of characters, organs, faculties, 

 instincts and powers which were once lost by the 



species, now progressing. Thus regarded, Progress is 

 (106) 



