The Making of Species

by Douglas Dewar

"The Making of Species" by Douglas Dewar and Frank Finn is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book engages with evolutionary theory post-Darwin, critiquing various schools of thought such as Wallaceism, Lamarckism, and Neo-Darwinism. It aims to clarify the complexities and deficiencies of these theories while proposing new insights into biological evolution and the processes involved in the making of species. The opening of the book presents a preface that discusses the state of biological science in the context of evolution and critiques established evolutionary theories. The authors argue that the existing frameworks, including Darwin’s natural selection, are insufficient to explain various biological phenomena. They present their intention to provide a more balanced perspective by integrating multiple factors into the discussion. The beginning sets the stage for a detailed exploration of how species arise through evolution, emphasizing the need for unbiased analysis and new avenues of thought in understanding the complexity of life's development.