50 Darwin- Wallace Celebration. 



the mighty can do more than the weak, the rich give more 

 than the one of smaller means. 



The greatest and most valuable gift which British Science 

 has given, not only to the Swedish nation but to the world, 

 is, however, the one which is celebrated to-day. 



Great thinkers and naturalists have repeatedly expressed 

 their ideas concerning the evolution of the organic world. 

 Erasmus Darwin spoke about a gradual transformation and 

 adaptation to surroundings. Still more powerful was 

 Lamarck's genial theory about the influence of use and non- 

 use of the organs. Other scientists have expressed different 

 opinions ; but first by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel 

 Wallace was the theory of evolution firmly founded, and on 

 this foundation a mighty structure erected. Since Linnaeus 

 about a century earlier presented to an admiring world 

 his ' Systema Naturae/ no naturalist has spoken more 

 powerfully to his contemporaries than these two authors. 

 But while ' Systema Naturae ' inspired a till then unknown 

 zeal in the study of nature, the theory of evolution extended 

 its enlivening influence to the dominions of all human 

 sciences. For this theory has not only effected a new 

 development of the natural sciences, but it has given better 

 and truer methods of research to other sciences as well, 

 and thus invigorated them to a new and better life. 



As by the great genius of Darwin and Wallace evolution 

 has proved to be not only a doctrine but a fact even if 

 different opinions may be held about its ways and means, 

 and even if some of their followers have shot beyond the 

 mark the whole educated world is willing to pay its homage 

 on this day. 



I fear that no word in praise of Darwin could be said 

 which has not been repeatedly uttered before (even to-day 

 much has been said and will be said by worthier men than 

 the present speaker). It would, however, be gratifying to 

 me if I could, by reciting a small incident, prove to this 

 distinguished audience in how high esteem this great genius 

 has been and is held in my own country. Some twenty 

 years ago, when the question arose about erecting a memorial 



