DARWIN S THEORY OF SELECTION. I 2 I 



tioned) tlie whole science of Biology, before Darwin's time, 

 was elaborated in accordance with the opposite views, and 

 that almost all zoologists and botanists regarded the absolute 

 independence of organic species as a self-evident inference 

 from the results of all study of forms, we shall certainly not 

 lightly value the twofold merit of Darwin. The false 

 doctrine of the constancy and independent creation of 

 individual species had gained such high authority, was so 

 generally recognized, and was, moreover, so much favoured 

 by delusive appearances, accepted by superficial observation, 

 that, indeed, no small degi^ee of courage, strength, and 

 intelligence was required to rise as a reformer against its 

 omnipotence, and to dash to pieces the structure artificially 

 erected upon it. But, in addition to this, Darwin added to 

 Lamarck's and Goethe's doctrine of descent the new and 

 highly important principle of " natural selection." 



We must sharply distinguish the two points — though this 

 is usually not done — first, Lamarck's Theory of Descent, 

 which only asserts that all animal and vegetable species are 

 descended from common, most simple, and spontaneously 

 generated prototypes; and secondly, Darwin's Theory of 

 Selection, which shows us why this progressive transfor- 

 mation of organic forms took place, and what causes, acting 

 mechanically, efiected the uninterrupted production of new 

 forms, and the ever increasing variety of animals and 

 plants. 



Darwin's immortal merit cannot be justly estimated until 

 a later period, when the Theory of ]3evelopment, after over- 

 throwing all other theories of creation, will be recognized as 

 the supreme principle of explanation in Anthropology, and, 

 consequently, in all other sciences. At present, while in 



