The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-10-15
Does Not Believe In Evolution.

One of the foremost biologists OF our tunes lS
Professor Hugo de Vries of the University OF
Amsterdam This past week he read paper De
fore the scientific congress at the Worlds TAR
which aroused little short of furore In that body,
He openIv combated Darwin's theory of the evo-
luton of species declaring the principle absolute
ly. discredited.
. His deeply scientific address, which gave for
the first time to the scientific world IN detail the
results of lifetime of research, aroused lmme-
diate interest, and following the eminent EURO
pean who is recognized as the head OF modern
biologists Professor Charles 0. Whitman of the
University of Chicago took instant objection to
his theories and in an extended address poured
out effective arguments with the intention OF dis
paraging the De Vries theory. President David
Starr Jordan the most noted of the defenders OF
Darwinism and biologists from all portions OF the
world participated in hot debate which followed,
and in the end Professor de Vries found himself
in the position of who had reused the greatest
scientists of the world to high pitch of excite
ment and interest
Professor de Vries had discussed his ideas pre-
viously to the opening of the congress IN sclen-
tifc papers and at gatherings of savants, but he
bad never given III detail the experiments sud
methods of research which had developed the the
DRY which in the opinion of many of those who
heard him yesterday will ultimately supplant the
Darwinian theory. It was the fact that for the
first time he made complete exposition of the
DEVELOPMENTS of his years of thought, together
with the support which he received from men of
prominence and ability, that caused so much con-
sternaton in the ranks of those who the ardent
supporters of the ideas which have hitherto pre-
vailed
Professor de Vries does not wholly discredit the
dogmas enunciated by Darwin. On the contrary,
he rather emphasizes some of the main essentials
of that renowned scientist, but in manner that
if the thought of the Holander becomes recognized
as basic principle of evolution. Darwin must nee
essariIy be reegated to the past. 1t was, then,
battle between giants representing Darwin on one
side and the modern school, led by Professor de
Vries on the other.
In theoretic language the thought of Professor
de Vres was in this strain: Natural selection is
only a seine and is no direct force of nature has
so often been asserted Artificial selection consists
of two main principles, called variety-testing and
racial Improvement Species see them In
nature, huctuate within fixed limits, which not
seen to be transgressed It is possible by artificial
selection to transcend these limits, but the So
called improved races are not permanent. The inn
portance of the struggle for existence between
individuals has been greatly exaggerated.
In plain terms, he says two of the same spe-
cies of animal, from the lowest stages to man, are
alike in any important particular Through hered-
ity he claims that the distinguishing feature or
element of an individual is not transmitted to the
offspring of that individual. which in the theory
of Darwin represents the main principle and who
claims that by heredity passing from generation
to generation the idiosyncracies of the primogen-
itor finally result in a new species. De Vres de-
MES this, and offers proof that entirely new
species may be developed within one two gen
erations. and this. if proven, gives to modern sci
ence theory which will change the text books of
the scientific schools.-Western Waterman.