CHAPTER X 



THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES 



IN the preceding chapter I have endeavoured to 

 show how the hypothesis of Natural Selection 

 originated in the minds of its authors, and must 

 now invite attention to the way in which it was 

 introduced to the world. What has been said earlier 

 with respect to the labours and writings of Hutton, 

 Scrope and Lyell may serve to indicate the great 

 importance of the manner of presentment of new 

 ideas the logical force and literary skill with which 

 they are brought to the notice of scientific con- 

 temporaries and the world at large. 



There are some striking passages in Darwin's 

 naive ' autobiography and letters ' which indicate the 

 beginnings of his ambition for literary distinction. 

 It must always be borne in mind in reading this 

 autobiography, however, that it was not intended by 

 Darwin for publication, but only for the amusement 

 of the members of his own family. But the charming 

 and unsophisticated self-revelations in it will always 

 be a source of delight to the world. 



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