xvi INTRODUCTION 



mind the date (1839) at which the framework of his 

 theory was laid down. It is worth noting that in 

 his Autobiography (p. 88) he speaks of the time 

 " about 1839, when the theory was clearly conceived." 

 However this may be there can be no doubt that 

 1842 is the correct date. Since the publication of 

 Life and Letters I have gained fresh evidence on 

 this head. A small packet containing 13 pp. of MS. 

 came to light in 1896. On the outside is written 

 "First Pencil Sketch of Species Theory. Written 

 at Maer and Shrewsbury during May and June 1842." 

 It is not however written in pencil, and it consists 

 of a single chapter on The Principles of Variation 

 in Domestic Organisms. A single unnumbered page 

 is written in pencil, and is headed " Maer, May 1842, 

 useless"; it also bears the words "This page was 

 thought of as introduction." It consists of the 

 briefest sketch of the geological evidence for evolu- 

 tion, together with words intended as headings for 

 discussion, such as "Affinity, unity of type,- 

 foetal state, abortive organs." 



The back of this "useless" page is of some 

 interest, although it does not bear on the question 

 of date, the matter immediately before us. 



It seems to be an outline of the Foundations, 

 consisting of the titles of the three chapters of 

 which it was to have consisted. 



" I. The Principles of Var. in domestic organ- 

 isms. 



" II. The possible and probable application of 

 these same principles to wild animals and conse- 

 quently the possible and probable production of 

 wild races, analogous to the domestic ones of plants 

 and animals. 



" III. The reasons for and against believing that 

 such races have really been produced, forming what 

 are called species." 



It will be seen that Chapter III as originally 



