100 THE COMING [CH. 



observations that he thinks will ' interest Mr Lyell ' 

 and he says in another letter : 



'I am become a zealous disciple of Mr Lyell's views, as 

 known in his admirable book. Geologising in South America, 

 I am tempted to carry parts to a greater extent even than he 

 does 102 .' 



Before reaching home after his voyage, the 

 duration of which was fortunately extended from two 

 to five years, he had sent home letters asking to be 

 elected a fellow of the Geological Society ; and, 

 immediately on his arrival, he gave up his zoological 

 specimens to others and devoted his main energies 

 for ten years to the working up of his geological 

 notes and specimens. 



It may seem strange that the grandson of Erasmus 

 Darwin should in early life have felt little or no 

 interest in the question of the ' Origin of Species,' but 

 such was certainly the case. He tells us hi his 

 autobiography that he had read his grandfather's 

 Zoonomia in his youth, without its producing any 

 effect on him, and when at Edinburgh he says he 

 heard his friend Robert Grant (afterwards Professor 

 of Zoology in University College, London) as they 

 were walking together ' burst forth in high admira- 

 tion of Lamarck and his views on Evolution' yet 

 Darwin adds 'I listened in silent astonishment, and 

 as far as I can judge without any effect on my 

 mind 108 / 



