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 t