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The Biblical 'kinds' seem to constitute divisions of life-forms wherein each division allows for cross-fertility within its limits. If so, then the boundary between 'kinds' is to be drawn at the point where fertilization ceases to occur.
In recent years, the term 'species' has been applied in such a manner as to cause confusion when it is compared with the word 'kind.' The basic meaning of 'species' is 'a sort; kind; variety.' In biologic terminology, however, it applies to any group of interfertile animals or plants mutually possessing one or more distinctive characteristics. Thus, there could be many such species or varieties within a single division of the Genesis 'kinds.'
The unchangeable rule that 'kinds' cannot cross is a biologic principle that has never been successfully challenged. Even with the aid of modern laboratory techniques and manipulation, no new 'kinds' have been formed.
From the earliest human record until now, the evidence is that dogs are still dogs, cats continue to be cats, and elephants have been and will always be elephants. Sterility continues to be the delimiting factor as to what constitutes a 'kind.' This phenomenon makes possible, through the test of sterility, the determining of the boundaries of all the 'kinds' in existence today. Through this natural test of fertilization it is possible to uncover the primary relationships within animal life and plant life.
Although hybridization was once hoped to be the best means of bringing about a new 'kind,' in every investigated case of hybridization the mates were always easily identified as being of the same 'kind,' such as in the crossing of the horse and the donkey, both of which are members of the horse family. Except in rare instances, the mule thus produced is sterile and unable to continue the variation in a natural way. Even Charles Darwin was forced by the facts to admit: 'The distinctness of specific forms and their not being blended together by innumerable transitional links, is a very obvious difficulty.' (Origin of Species, 1902, Part 2, p. 54) This still remains true.
Whereas specific created 'kinds' may number only in the hundreds, there are many more varieties of animals and plants on the earth. Modern research has indicated that hundreds of thousands of different plants are members of the same family. Similarly, in the animal kingdom, there may be many varieties of cats, all belonging to one cat family or feline 'kind.' The same is true of men, of cattle, and of dogs, allowing for great diversity within each 'kind.' But the fact remains that no matter how many varieties occur in each family, none of these 'kinds' can commingle genetically.
Geological research provides clear evidence that the fossils held to be among the earliest specimens of a certain creature are very similar to their descendants alive today. Cockroaches found among the supposed earliest fossil insects are virtually identical to modern ones. Fossil 'bridges' between 'kinds' are totally lacking. Horses, oak trees, eagles, elephants, walnuts, ferns, and so forth, all continue within the same 'kinds' without evolving into other 'kinds.'
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