Hence, the canon of "Natura non facit saltum," which every fresh addition to our knowledge tends to confirm, is on this theory intelligible.
We can see why throughout nature the same general end is gained by an almost infinite diversity of means, for every peculiarity when once acquired is long inherited, and structures already modified in many different ways have to be adapted for the same general purpose.
We can, in short, see why nature is prodigal in variety, though niggard in innovation.
But why this should be a law of nature if each species has been independently created no man can explain.