The Washington times., 1904-10-09

= n local scientific circles there has
been the keeuest interest aroused
by the visit 10 Washington last
week OF Prof. Hugo de Vries, Of the
University Of Amsterdam Holland, the
originator OF the mutation theory Of
the origin and development OF species
Prof. de Vries came TO this country
to deliver by invitation a series OF lee
lures before the University OF Cali
fornia. He has made addresses before
the University Of Chicago and the scien-
tihc department OF the Worlds Fair at
St. Louis. He has also Tpent two weeks
In our Southewestern deserts. studying
their vegetation He made his head
quarters during this time the Desert
Botanical Laboratory OF the Carnegie
Institution al Tucson, Ariz.
Entertained in Washington.
During his stay in Washington he was
entertained by the many friends that mis-
work in the realms Of botany has
created Tor him in this city
The theory of mutations advanced by
this distinguished son OF Holland does
not. as has been proclaimed by the press
throughout the United States, attack
the Darwlniau theory OF the evolution
OF man. On the contrary. IL accepts IL
as established. but 90 points out certain
material defects In DarWin's later v0rx
on the origin of species which have long
been apparent 70 earnest scientific
thinkers. although the general public
has been disposed TO take the second
work as necessary TO establish com
plerely the sOuudness Of the dFst hy-
pothesis.
one of the greatest difficulties in the
path OF the DarWiuiau theory has been
the application Of the idea OF slow Sc
lection IN the differentiation OF species
10 what has been determined concerning
the period of the drst appearance OF
animal life in the world.
De Vries' Theories.
De Vries' opinion is that the homo
sapiens, lAe reasoning man OF modern
conception. has populated the earth FOR
a period extending back not more than
10000 years. The Darwiuiau theory
necessarily extends ir back millions OF
years one oil the Oldest skulls disc0v-
cred must have been. according TO the
3dea Of slow selection, 10000 years OLD.
Scientists who are quite willing 20 ac-
cept the Darwin theory have long been
puzzled by the difficulty Of rec0nciIiuF
the slow change with the periods ia
which animal life appears in geological
formations. The Mes0z1ic period Is the
FIRST 10 which evidences Of land animal
life appeared, and set the various au-
thoriues ora the subject do not place
that period Ear enough back 10 tally
with Che necessities Of slow change.
Mans Appearance.
AIan himself came Iu between the
EUoeene and Plioceue. which are the
-f---- period
being
area OF
earth
imme-
euochs.
estab-
N when
selection
was ael.--- ras seen
there were many difficulties IN the way.
In Che BasI few years the work OF dc
Fries has offered "a key 20 the problem.
lie has thoroughly demonstrated that
change ot species is NOT necessarily
glow but GA the contrary Is by salta~
tion. OF leaps a few generations can
ard DO work complete changes
Although his work h1s been in the
main devoted 70 vegetable ufe its APP
plicar0u % animal life 81 easily appar-
snL AS a matter Of fact. o. bridges
over chasms and dlniculties On the Oar
win theory that were quite lnexplLcable
until the mutation theory was advanced.
Mutation Theory.
Possibly de Vries' Own words win best
show tle relationship of the theory of
mutations 20 The theory OF evolution
and the difference between the results
" his experimental work ana the gem
rral propositions laid down Dy Darwin
81 MS origiu " species embodyiuE the
idea OF slow selection.
The doctrine of the origin Of species. A"