FIKST SUMMARY 143 



The proof of the thesis is that the changes described in the hair — 

 the evidence — is inconsistent with an alternative assertion. 



To Some Critics. 



It may save time and trouble if replies are given in anticipation 

 to certain classes of critics. I refer of course to those who are 

 well-informed in their branch of knowledge. 



To those of high authority and learning, those who ride on 

 white asses and that sit in judgment, who may seek to throw the 

 case into chancery, saying, " This will never do, it contradicts 

 current biological opinion." I can only meekly reply that current 

 or orthodox opinion is frequently wrong, or (shall I say) seldom 

 right, and that the history of human thought is strewn with 

 examples which may justify my impertinent reply. 



To another who says, " I daresay you are right in your claim, 

 but there are too many metaphors," I would suggest that, so long 

 as metaphors are not used as arguments, the more metaphors — 

 within limits — the clearer the meaning of the statement. 



To him who grudgingly allows, ' ; I think you have proved your 

 case — but what does it prove ? " I reply that it proves what it 

 set out to prove, no more and no less, and it is an integral part of 

 proof of a larger claim. And if he further grumble that these 

 matters have no interest for him, one may ask him to live and let 

 live. " What have I now done in comparison of you, is not the 

 gleaning of your grapes of great Ephraim better than the vintage 

 of this little" Abiezer ? " 



To the man who reads the preface and the headings of the 

 chapters, glances at the illustrations, detects one split infinitive, 

 two misspeUings and three errors of punctuation, goes home to tea 

 and writes his opinion — it may suffice to remind him of " that 

 curious mental state which looks past problems without seeing 

 them." 



I will conclude this section with a parable. 



In the year 1788 Arthur Young in his travels through France 

 visited the desolate region of the Landes. "Wastes, wastes, 

 wastes ! " was his lament over neglected Brittany, and no less could 

 he say of the Landes, at that time a miserable tract of lo^v ground, 

 bordering the Bay of Biscay. Plantations, the sinking of wells, 

 drainage and irrigation began to fix the unstable sands, making 

 fruitful the marsh, creating a healthful climate and a fertile soil. 

 Early in the 19th century the land here was sold au son de la 

 voix, that is to say, the accepted standard of measurement was 

 the compass of the human lungs. The stretch of ground reached 



