NOTE-BOOK OF 1 837. 5 



The same difference of treatment is shown elsewhere in this 

 chapter. Thus the gradation in the form of beak presented 

 by the thirteen allied species of finch is described in the first 

 edition (p. 461) without comment. Whereas in the second 

 edition (p. 380) he concludes : 



" One might really fancy that from an original paucity of 

 birds in this Archipelago, one species has been taken and 

 modified for different ends." 



On the whole it seems to me remarkable that the difference 

 between the two editions is not greater ; it is another proof of 

 the author's caution and self-restraint in the treatment of his 

 theory. After reading the second edition of the ' Journal,' we 

 find with a strong sense of surprise how far developed were 

 his views in 1837. We are enabled to form an opinion on 

 this point from the note-books in which he wrote down 

 detached thoughts and queries. I shall quote from the first 

 note-book, completed between July 1837 and February 

 1838: and this is the more worth doing, as it gives us an 

 insight into the condition of his thoughts before the reading 

 of Malthus. The notes are written in his most hurried style, 

 so many words being omitted, that it is often difficult to 

 arrive at the meaning. With a few exceptions (indicated by 

 square brackets)* I have printed the extracts as written ; the 

 punctuation, however, has been altered, and a few obvious 

 slips corrected where it seemed necessary. The extracts are 

 not printed in order, but are roughly classified.! 



" Propagation explains why modern animals same type as 

 extinct, which is law, almost proved." 



" We can see why structure is common in certain countries 



* In the extracts from the note- tion is discussed, and where the 



book ordinary brackets represent ' ; Zoonomia " is mentioned. Many 



my father's parentheses. pages have been cut out of thenote- 



f On the first page of the note- book, probably for use in writing the 



book, is written " Zoonomia " ; this Sketch of 1844, and these would 



seems to refer to the first few pages have no doubt contained the most 



in which reproduction by gemma- interesting extracts. 



