ABSTRACT
Evolution is the formation of new species from pre-existing species. That is all the word means to biologists and it implies nothing with regard to the steps that might be involved. The word is often linked to the name of Darwin, giving the impression that in some sense he invented the concept. This is quite untrue. The evolution of species from pre-existing species was widely (although not universally) accepted by the time Darwin began to think about it seriously and today it is not in the least controversial. The evolution of species is a fact, well documented and observed.
