568 THE NATURAL HISTOET EEYIEW. 



the Darwinian hypothesis. The speculation that all species are deriva- 

 tive is a very old one, and was accepted by many in England and on 

 the Continent before the appearance of Mr. Darwin's work, as being 

 at least as philosophical and certainly more rational than the only 

 other speculation hitherto advanced, viz., that species were created 

 separately and independently. What Mr. Darwin has done is : 1. To 

 show that the operation of natural selection must eventually result 

 in the coordination of the derivative individuals, into more or less de- 

 finable groups which we call species, genera, orders, &c. 2. To de- 

 monstrate that such a process actually takes place in minor groups, 

 both of the animal and vegetable kingdom. 3. To show how the 

 main facts of classification, development, and geographical distri- 

 bution, are all consonant with and explicable upon the hypothesis that 

 organised beings are all derivative, and have been ruled by natural 

 selection in everything relating to their development, whether as to 

 grade of perfection, numbers, magnitude, or difiusion over the earth's 

 surface. It is the application of this demonstrably proved law of 

 natural selection together with the fact that the struggle for exist- 

 ence must lead to the extinction of the weaker races to the 

 speculation of the derivative origin of species, that is the novel point 

 which Mr. DarAvdn has brought out, and which raises the said 

 speculation to the rank of a legitimate hypothesis ; and it is the fact 

 of the derivative origin of species being no longer a speculation, 

 but a hypothesis (or, as some say a theory,) that has necessitated its 

 careful consideration by every scientific biologist and its acceptance 

 by many at once, and by more as time advances. 



There is nothing in M. Naudin's communication that indicates 

 his having advanced in his conclusions as to the " origin of species 

 by variation" beyond the state in which that speculation was left by 

 Lamarck in his o^Yll country, and by the " Vestiges of the Natural 

 History of the Creation," in this. M. Naudin, however, seems to 

 have failed to perceive the points of Mr. Darwin's hypothesis, 

 and hence supposes that he had forestalled its author. His com- 

 munication is, however, an excellent exposition of his scientific creed, 

 and coming from so justly distinguished a naturalist w^e are sure 

 that it will be persued with interest by all, and with profit by many 

 wdio may be opposed to his conclusions. — Ed. JV. H. B,.'] 



The experience of more than twenty centuries has established 

 the fact, which is of immense importance as regards human 

 economy, that vegetables submitted to culture are modified in 



