9S . BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. 



But we have this fact for our encouragement. In the early 

 history of all the sciences there have been the periods of much 

 confusion, diversity of opinion and gleams of light, before the 

 bright rays of the sun appeared. We are surely making 

 progress in the right direction. All great principles work 

 slow, but they are sure to triumph in the end. 



Darwin's views. 



Within a few years there has been a greatly increased inter- 

 est in all scientific inquiries, but more especially in what are 

 denominated the Natural Sciences. The questions that have 

 created the greatest interest come under the heads of Physi- 

 ology, Psychology and Biolog}^. Among the subjects that 

 have attracted most attention, hereditary influences stand 

 prominent. And no one has made here greater or more valu- 

 able contributions than Charles Darwin. Without approviiig 

 or indorsing all his theories upon the " Origin of Species " and 

 "Descent of Man," I propose to make some comments upon 

 his views bearing directly upon the topic now under discussion. 

 The two great principles that underlie most of his inquiries, 

 namely, " Natural Selection " and " Law of Variability," have, 

 in our opinion, a sure foundation in nature, and will survive 

 all opposition and criticism. 



A radical mistake or defect in the application of Darwin's 

 theories, it seems to us, is this : he bases them upon natm'e 

 in a chaotic, imperfect state. Whereas the great laws or 

 principles of science must be based upon nature in her highest 

 developments. Nature in her primeval state is perfect, and 

 all her laws must start with or be tested by a perfect standard. 

 While the operation of these laws extends to the lowest stages 

 of physical organization, their origin or basis is found in its 

 highest and most perfect state. 



Darwin's leading principle, namel};^, "Natural Selection," 

 may be briefly defined thus : It is the preservation of favor- 

 able qualities and the rejecting of injurious ones. It has been 

 found from long experience by actual experiment that man 

 can improve the character of domestic animals by selecting 

 the most desirable qualities, and by avoiding. all that conflict 

 with these. Darwin maintains that this same principle exists 

 in nature ; that amidst all its laws and changes there is an in- 



