[Illustration: PLATE I.—Illustrating the results of Artificial Selection.
Within historic times the small Wild Rock Pigeon has been evolved into
the large Pouter. The figure illustrates the plasticity of a living
organism.]
A FIRST BOOK
IN
ORGANIC EVOLUTION
BY
D. KERFOOT SHUTE, A.B., M.D.
OPHTHALMIC SURGEON TO THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (COLUMBIAN)
PROFESSOR OF ANATOMY IN THE COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY
[Illustration]
CHICAGO
THE OPEN COURT PUBLISHING COMPANY
LONDON: KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., LTD.
PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING CROSS ROAD
1899
COPYRIGHT BY
THE OPEN COURT PUBLISHING CO.
CHICAGO, U. S. A.
1899
_All rights reserved._
THIS LITTLE BOOK IS INSCRIBED TO
DR. THEODORE GILL,
NOT ONLY IN ADMIRATION FOR HIS HIGH SCHOLARSHIP
AND EMINENT SCIENTIFIC ATTAINMENTS, BUT
ALSO IN APPRECIATION OF MANY
ACTS OF COURTESY AND
KINDNESS TO THE
AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
This little book has been written chiefly for the use of students in the
Medical Department of the Columbian University. It is designed to serve
only as an _introduction_ to the study of the Development Theory, and the
subject has been presented, it is hoped, in a manner that will render it
interesting and easily intelligible to the general reader.
The doctrine of Evolution itself enters so largely into all those
departments of knowledge that especially concern the human race, and
it has so profoundly modified our ideas with regard to the origin and
destiny of man, that it has attained a commanding interest and become an
almost necessary ingredient in what is called a liberal education.
An overwhelming majority of Anthropologists, Zoölogists, and Botanists,
and a goodly number—constantly increasing—of Christian clergymen and
laymen, have been almost compelled to believe in the truth of the
Evolution Theory, whether they would or not, and they cannot but realize
how very widely the theory extends into almost every department of human
knowledge. No one, therefore, who aspires even to a moderate degree of
intellectual culture, can well afford to exclude a clear understanding of
what this Doctrine of Evolution really is. It is hoped this little work
will render such a conception easily attainable.
The author makes no claim for originality, unless it be in the _manner_
of presenting the subject. He has utilized the facts collated by other
observers, and sometimes quoted the exact language and expressions of
well-known writers on Evolution, and has endeavored to put them together
in a way that may be helpful to those who are beginning the study of the
Evolution Theory.
No attempt has been made to prove the truth of the theory: this is
assumed. The arguments in support of it are coextensive with our
knowledge of Comparative Anatomy, Embryology, Physiology, Psychology, and
many other sciences.
In the preparation of the book the author is especially indebted to his
friend Prof. Theodore Gill, the eminent ichthyologist, for many valuable
suggestions, and more particularly for his aid in constructing the
Diagram of Development. He also desires to thank his friend Dr. A. F.
A. King for his kindly assistance in preparing the manuscript for the
press; and also his friend Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of the U. S. Bureau of
Entomology, for much valuable information and assistance.
D. K. SHUTE.
August 1, 1899, 1318 L Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION xiii
System of Classification xiv
Definition of Evolution xv
SECTION I.
ORGANIC CELLS: THE VISIBLE UNITS OF LIFE 3
Structure and Composition of Cells 4
Activities of Cells 7
Examples of Unicellular Animals and Plants 10
Mitosis 25
Maturation of the Human Ovum 29
Fertilization of the Human Ovum 29, 42
Segmentation of the Oösperm 31
Gastrulation 32