Questions Evolution Does Not Answer 
4. Two other phenomena diffi¬ 
cult to reconcile with the theory of 
descent w T ith modification through 
natural selection have been re¬ 
ferred to as reversed adaptation 
and alternate adaptation. Osborn 
says: “In no less than eleven out 
of eighteen orders of reptiles re¬ 
versed adaptation to a renewal of 
aquatic life took place;” for in¬ 
stance, “in the passage from the 
reptilian foot into the fin of the 
aquatic reptile and with equal clear¬ 
ness in the passage of the wing of 
the flying bird into the fin of the 
swimming bird.” He goes on to 
say: “Still more remarkable than 
the law of reversed adaptation 
is that of alternate adaptation.” 
He gives as an illustration the 
leatherbacks, a highly specialized 
type of sea turtles, which supposed¬ 
ly passed from land to marine ani¬ 
mals and then through various 
