Preface vii 



mental conceptions and the aims of the students of living Nature 

 have been completely changed. ... But the impulse thus given to 

 scientific thought rapidly spread beyond the ordinarily recognised 

 limits of Biology. Psychology, Ethics, Cosmology were stirred to 

 their foundations, and The Origin of Species proved itself to be the 

 fixed point which the general doctrine needed in order to move the 

 world." 



In the contributions to this Memorial Volume, some of the authors 

 have more especially concerned themselves with the results achieved 

 by Darwin's own work, while others pass in review the progress of 

 research on lines which, though unknown or but little followed in his 

 day, are the direct outcome of his work. 



The divergence of views among biologists in regard to the origin of 

 species and as to the most promising directions in which to seek for 

 truth is illustrated by the different opinions of contributors. Whether 

 Darwin's views on the modus operandi of evolutionary forces receive 

 further confirmation in the future, or whether they are materially 

 modified, in no way affects the truth of the statement that, by employ- 

 ing his life "in adding a little to Natural Science," he revolutionised 

 the world of thought. Darwin wrote in 1872 to Alfred Russel Wallace : 

 "How grand is the onward rush of science: it is enough to console us 

 for the many errors which we have committed, and for our efforts 

 being overlaid and forgotten in the mass of new facts and new views 

 which are daily turning up." In the onward rush, it is easy for students 

 convinced of the correctness of their own views and equally convinced 

 of the falsity of those of their fellow-workers to forget the lessons of 

 Darwin's life. In his autobiographical sketch, he tells us, "I have 

 steadily endeavoured to keep my mind free so as to give up any 

 hypothesis, however much beloved... as soon as facts are shown to be 

 opposed to it." Writing to Mr J. Scott, he says, "It is a golden rule, 

 which I try to follow, to put every fact which is opposed to one's 

 preconceived opinion in the strongest light. Absolute accuracy is the 

 hardest merit to attain, and the highest merit. Any deviation is 



ruin." 



He acted strictly in accordance with his determination expressed 

 in a letter to Lyell in 1844, " I shall keep out of controversy, and just 



a 5 



