x] OF EVOLUTION 119 



David Forbes the mineralogist (a younger brother of 

 Edward Forbes) then living in York Street, Portman 

 Square. The bonds of union between Charles Darwin 

 and David Forbes were, first, that thev had both 



t/ 



travelled extensively in South America, and secondly, 

 that both were greatly interested in methods of 

 preserving and making available for future reference 

 all notes and memoranda collected from various 

 sources. David Forbes devoted to the purpose a 

 large room with the most elaborate system of pigeon- 

 holes, about which he told me that Darwin was 

 greatly excited. He also mentioned to me that, on 

 one or more occasions, while Darwin was in his 

 house, pains of such a violent character had seized 

 him that he had been compelled to lie down for a time 

 and had occasioned his host the greatest alarm. 



It must always therefore be remembered, in 

 reading Darwin's works, what were the sad conditions 

 under which they were produced. It seems to be 

 doubtful to what extent his ill-health may be 

 regarded as the result of an almost fatal malady, 

 from which he suffered in South America, or as the 

 effect of the constant and prolonged sea-sickness of 

 which he was the victim during the five years' voyage. 

 But certain it is that his work was carried on under 

 no ordinary difficulties, and that it was only by the 

 exercise of the sternest resolution, in devoting every 

 moment of time that he was free from pain to his 



