A century of science in America : $b with special reference to the American Journal of Science, 1818-1918
History
A century of science in America : $b with special reference to the American Journal of Science, 1818-1918
American journal of science; Science -- United States -- History
The general fact, however, that the fossil fauna of each period as a
whole is nearly intermediate in character between the preceding and
the succeeding faunas, is much relied on. We are brought one step
nearer to the desired inference by the similar ‘fact,’ insisted on by
all paleontologists, that fossils from two consecutive formations are
far more closely related to each other, than are the fossils of two
remote formations.
It is well said that all organic beings have been formed on two great
laws; Unity of type, and Adaptation to the conditions of existence....
Mr. Darwin harmonizes and explains them naturally. Adaptation to the
conditions of existence is the result of Natural Selection; Unity of
type, of unity of descent.”
Gray’s article was soon followed by another one from Agassiz on
Individuality and Specific Differences among Acalephs, but the running
title is “Prof. Agassiz on the Origin of Species” (=30=, 142, 1860).
Agassiz stoutly maintains his well known views, and concludes as
follows:
“Were the transmutation theory true, the geological record should
exhibit an uninterrupted succession of types blending gradually into
one another. The fact is that throughout all geological times each
period is characterized by definite specific types, belonging to
definite genera, and these to definite families, referable to definite
orders, constituting definite classes and definite branches, built
upon definite plans. Until the facts of Nature are shown to have been
mistaken by those who have collected them, and that they have a
different meaning from that now generally assigned to them, I shall
therefore consider the transmutation theory as a scientific mistake,
untrue in its facts, unscientific in its method, and mischievous in
its tendency.”
Dana, in reviewing Huxley’s well known book, Man’s Place in Nature
(=35=, 451, 1863), holds that man is apart from brute nature because man
exhibits “extreme cephalization” in that he has arms that no longer are
used in locomotion but go rather with the head, and because he has a far
higher mentality and speech. As for the Darwinian theory, the evidence,
he says, “comes from lower departments of life, and is acknowledged by
its advocates to be exceedingly scanty and imperfect.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account