Describe the Lamarck's theory of evolution.

Explanation

This theory was put forward by a well-known French biologist Chevalier de Lamarck. He explained it in his famous book "Philosphie Zoologique" in 1809. Lamarck was incharge of the invertebrate collection at the Natural History Museum in Paris. He, as a result of his systematic studies, became convinced that species were not fixed but were rather derived from preexisting species by modification. This idea was in conflict with the view prevailing at that time, i.e., special creation and fixity of species. Therefore, his theory was not received well. He was ridiculed by Georges Cuvier by saying "You can get or lose an organ by merely wishing for it".