Well, "muddled"? sure, since Darwin knew nothing of genetics, much less DNA, so it was only a vaguely defined concept 150+ years ago.
But it was remarkably correct: 1) descent with modifications plus 2) natural selection = 3) evolution.
You also failed to address the chromosome problem I raised; your feeble reference to Adam and Eve notwithstanding.
See this old post of mine.
ML/NJ