Page 216 - The Error of the Evolution of Species

The Error of the Evolution
of Species

With the building of factories and increase in the number of indus-
th
th
trial plants in 18 and 19 -century Britain, air pollution—which was
previously unknown, emerged. At the same time, differences were
recorded in the colors of certain plants and animals living around in-
dustrializing cities.

caught in 1811 and according to others, in 1848, in
Manchester. 260
Light-colored members of this species are known as typ-

ic, and dark- colored individuals as melanic. In subsequent
years, observations revealed that dark-colored individuals
now constituted the majority of the population—so much so
that by the 1950s, 90% of the moths in the region were
melanic, or dark. (This situation was revered when air pol-
lution was reduced as a result of legislation mandating
stricter emission controls. Light-colored moths again began

214