NEOLAMARCKISM 423 
genealogical descent of all organic beings, the more 
complex from the more simple; he nevertheless 
failed to conceive the selective principle as formu- 
lated by Darwin and Wallace, which so admirably 
complemented these great laws.’’ * 
As is well known, Huxley was, if we understand 
his expressions aright, not fully convinced of the 
entire adequacy of natural selection. 
““ There is no fault to be found with Mr. Darwin’s 
method, then; but it is another question whether 
he has fulfilled all the conditions imposed by that 
method. Is it satisfactorily proved, in fact, that 
species may be originated by selection ? that there 
is such a thing as natural selection ? that none of 
the phenomena exhibited by species are inconsistent 
with the origin of species in this way ? 
‘** After much consideration, with assuredly no bias 
against Mr. Darwin’s views, it is our clear conviction 
that, as the evidence stands, it is not absolutely 
proven that a group of animals, having all the char- 
acters exhibited by species in nature, has ever been 
originated by selection, whether artificial or natural. 
Groups having the morphological character of species, 
distinct and permanent races, in fact, have been so 
produced over and over again; but there is no posi- 
tive evidence, at present, that any group of animals 
has, by variation and selective breeding, given rise 
to another group which was even in the least degree 
infertile with the first. Mr. Darwin is perfectly 
aware of this weak point, and brings forward a mul- 
titude of ingenious and important arguments to 
diminish the force of the objection.”’ t 
* Proceedings Biological Society of Washington, vi., 1892, pp. 
host: 
+ Lay Sermons, Addresses, and Reviews, 1870, p. 323. 
