. The theory of evolution in the light of facts. not at all regarded as the remains of organismswhich at one time had really lived ; and of a connec-tion with the living animals and plants of to-day noone then thought. The opinions of the time are shown,for instance, in A. Kirchers Mundus subterraneus (Figs. 1-4).1 Since, however, the number of such figure stones discovered constantly increased, grave doubts beganto arise against the nisus formativus theory, especially ^ II, Amstelodami 1665, c. 9. Kircher also stated that many of theselusus naturce might have originated through hollow spaces
. The theory of evolution in the light of facts. not at all regarded as the remains of organismswhich at one time had really lived ; and of a connec-tion with the living animals and plants of to-day noone then thought. The opinions of the time are shown,for instance, in A. Kirchers Mundus subterraneus (Figs. 1-4).1 Since, however, the number of such figure stones discovered constantly increased, grave doubts beganto arise against the nisus formativus theory, especially ^ II, Amstelodami 1665, c. 9. Kircher also stated that many of theselusus naturce might have originated through hollow spaces in the earthbecoming filled with mud. 6 THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION since it apparently had ceased to act. The conclusionbecame enforced that the petrifactions should be con-sidered as remains of actual organisms which, however,certainly had, in the opinion of the time, nothing to dowith the still existent forms of animal and plant life ;they were extinct, types of life which had beenannihilated by the one universal flood, the Fig. 1.—Lusus Nature. Obviously fancifully completed. Fig. 2 is based on a mussel(Inoceramus). {After A. Kirclier.) The most formidable upholder of this view w^asundoubtedly J. J. Scheuchzer (1672-1733). He tookup arms courageously against the current ideas ofaerial spirits {Archaei) which bury themselves in thesoil and stones and so shape organic forms. Suchidols, he says in his book Homo diluvii testis, mustbe overthrown and destroyed, not so much by subtlephilosophy and all sorts of brain whims, but by presen-tation and observation of Natures bodies themselves, ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM 7 and such resulting consequences as even the simplestmay seize on and understand. Nature must be herown advocate, and wisdom, though unstudied, must bethe judge/ He also expressed himself strongly againstthe lusus natuTCB. In his paper Piscium querelce etvindicice (1708) he makes the Fishes raise objectionsthat they are not considered as the original pa
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