Art by Frank R. Paul for “The Evolutionary Monstrosity” by Clare Winger Harris in “Amazing Stories Quarterly,” Vol. 2, No. 1 (Winter, 1929).
“When I realized that the thing was regarding me with those staring, expressionless eyes, I tried to summon what little dignity I could – I sensed that the repulsive form housed an exceptional intelligence. But I had never undertaken a more difficult task, and I was thankful for the moment that I was not standing in front of my Biology classes at the University.” [Accompanying description]
Ted Marston, a brilliant student in Professor Lewis’ biology class, is prodded and cajoled by fellow students into revealing his theory of evolution:
“Well, if you insist,” replied Ted more seriously, “It’s something like this. I wonder if evolution isn’t the result of a certain bacterial growth which slowly and continuously changes the cellular structure of living organisms, causing the formation of new tissue and organs, and breaking down the old.” [Quoting the story]
“Again, our well-known author, Mrs. Harris, steps to the front with a gem of a story which proves her versatility as a writer of scientifiction. What is evolution? And how does it all come about? And how long does it take a race to evolve? All difficult questions to answer in a short paragraph. But there are many who believe that it is possible to speed up evolution. We do it experimentally with the lower animals and insects, and there is no doubt that sooner or later we can do it with human beings. When that time comes, it will be a most interesting adventure for us humans, but we do hope, for the good of humanity, that it will not be along the lines as expressed in the present story.
“However, do not forget that dynamite can be used for killing people and for peaceful endeavors as well.” [Editor’s Note]
Art by Frank R. Paul for “The Evolutionary Monstrosity” by Clare Winger Harris in “Amazing Stories Quarterly,” Vol. 2, No. 1 (Winter, 1929).
“When I realized that the thing was regarding me with those staring, expressionless eyes, I tried to summon what little dignity I could – I sensed that the repulsive form housed an exceptional intelligence. But I had never undertaken a more difficult task, and I was thankful for the moment that I was not standing in front of my Biology classes at the University.” [Accompanying description]
Ted Marston, a brilliant student in Professor Lewis’ biology class, is prodded and cajoled by fellow students into revealing his theory of evolution:
“Well, if you insist,” replied Ted more seriously, “It’s something like this. I wonder if evolution isn’t the result of a certain bacterial growth which slowly and continuously changes the cellular structure of living organisms, causing the formation of new tissue and organs, and breaking down the old.” [Quoting the story]
“Again, our well-known author, Mrs. Harris, steps to the front with a gem of a story which proves her versatility as a writer of scientifiction. What is evolution? And how does it all come about? And how long does it take a race to evolve? All difficult questions to answer in a short paragraph. But there are many who believe that it is possible to speed up evolution. We do it experimentally with the lower animals and insects, and there is no doubt that sooner or later we can do it with human beings. When that time comes, it will be a most interesting adventure for us humans, but we do hope, for the good of humanity, that it will not be along the lines as expressed in the present story.
“However, do not forget that dynamite can be used for killing people and for peaceful endeavors as well.” [Editor’s Note]