Certain European philosophers agree that the species grows and develops,
and that even change and alteration are also possible. One of the proofs
that they give for this theory is that through the attentive study and
verification of the science of geology it has become clear that the
existence of the vegetable preceded that of the animal, and that of the
animal preceded that of man. They admit that both the vegetable and the
animal species have changed, for in some of the strata of the earth they
have discovered plants which existed in the past and are now extinct; they
have progressed, grown in strength, their form and appearance have
changed, and so the species have altered. In the same way, in the strata
of the earth there are some species of animals which have changed and are
transformed. One of these animals is the serpent. There are indications
that the serpent once had feet; but through the lapse of time those
members have disappeared. In the same way, in the vertebral column of man
there is an indication which amounts to a proof that, like other animals,
he once had a tail. At one time that member was useful, but when man
developed it was no longer of use, and therefore it gradually disappeared.
As the serpent took refuge under the ground, and became a creeping animal,
it was no longer in need of feet, so they disappeared; but their traces
survive. The principal argument is this: that the existence of traces of
members proves that they once existed; and as now they are no longer of
service, they have gradually disappeared. Therefore while the perfect and
necessary members have remained, those which are unnecessary have
gradually disappeared by the modification of the species, but the traces
of them continue.
The first answer to this argument is the fact that the animal having
preceded man is not a proof of the evolution, change, and alteration of
the species, nor that man was raised from the animal world to the human
world. For while the individual appearance of these different beings is
certain, it is possible that man came into existence after the animal. So
when we examine the vegetable kingdom, we see that the fruits of the
different trees do not arrive at maturity at one time; on the contrary,
some come first and others afterwards. This priority does not prove that
the later fruit of one tree was produced from the earlier fruit of another
tree.
Secondly, these slight signs and traces of members have perhaps a great
reason of which the mind is not yet cognizant. How many things exist of
which we do not yet know the reason! So the science of physiology, that is
to say the knowledge of the composition of the members, records that the
reason and cause of the difference in the colors of animals, and of the
hair of men, of the redness of the lips, and of the variety of the colors
of birds, is still unknown; it is secret and hidden. But it is known that
the pupil of the eye is black, so as to attract the rays of the sun; for
if it were another color, that is, uniformly white, it would not attract
the rays of the sun. Therefore, as the reason of the things we have
mentioned is unknown, it is possible that the reason and the wisdom of
these traces of members, whether they be in the animal or man, are equally
unknown. Certainly there is a reason, even though it is not known.
Thirdly, let us suppose that there was a time when some animals, or even
man, possessed some members which have now disappeared; this is not a
sufficient proof of the change and evolution of the species. For man, from
the beginning of the embryonic period till he reaches the degree of
maturity, goes through different forms and appearances. His aspect, his
form, his appearance, and color change; he passes from one form to
another, and from one appearance to another. Nevertheless, from the
beginning of the embryonic period he is of the species of man; that is to
say, an embryo of a man, and not of an animal; but this is not at first
apparent, but later it becomes visible and evident. For example, let us
suppose that man once resembled the animal, and that now he has progressed
and changed; supposing this to be true, it is still not a proof of the
change of species; no, as before mentioned, it is merely like the change
and alteration of the embryo of man until it reaches the degree of reason
and perfection. We will state it more clearly: let us suppose that there
was a time when man walked on his hands and feet, or had a tail; this
change and alteration is like that of the foetus in the womb of the mother;
although it changes in all ways, and grows and develops until it reaches
the perfect form, from the beginning it is a special species. We also see
in the vegetable kingdom that the original species of the genus do not
change and alter, but the form, color, and bulk will change and alter, or
even progress.
To recapitulate: as man in the womb of the mother passes from form to
form, from shape to shape, changes and develops, and is still the human
species from the beginning of the embryonic period--in the same way man,
from the beginning of his existence in the matrix of the world, is also a
distinct species, that is, man, and has gradually evolved from one form to
another. Therefore this change of appearance, this evolution of members,
this development and growth, even though we admit the reality of growth
and progress, does not prevent the species from being original. Man from
the beginning was in this perfect form and composition, and possessed
capacity and aptitude for acquiring material and spiritual perfections,
and was the manifestation of these words, "We will make man in Our image
and likeness." He has only become more pleasing, more beautiful, and more
graceful. Civilization has brought him out of his wild state, just as the
wild fruits which are cultivated by a gardener became finer, sweeter, and
acquire more freshness and delicacy.
The gardeners of the world of humanity are the Prophets of God.