"The proof of evolution lies in those adaptations that arise from improbable foundations"

This quote by Stephen Jay Gould is referring to the evidence of development that can be seen in the adaptations of organisms. These adjustments are the result of the process of natural selection, which is the process by which organisms with useful traits are more likely to endure and reproduce. These adaptations emerge from the hereditary variation that exists within a types, which is the outcome of random anomalies that happen in time. This indicates that the adjustments that emerge from these anomalies are often improbable, yet they are still able to supply a benefit to the organism. This is proof of advancement, as it reveals that organisms are able to adjust to their environment in order to survive and reproduce.