18 
animals sterile or the reverse. Mules would not breed together in 
England, but he believed that in Spain they did so, and it was 
possible that the difference in climate might have some effect in 
producing this result. If Mr. Darwin’s only published book had 
been ‘‘ The Origin of Species,” he would still have done good work 
in pointing out the way to a true theory of the development of 
species by material selection. He believed it was Professor Agassiz 
who said that a new theory must pass through three different 
stages. At first people said “It is not true ;’’ then ‘ It is against 
religion ;’’ and lastly, ‘‘ Every one knew it before.’ (Laughter.) 
He (the lecturer) thought it might fairly be said of Mr. Darwin's 
theory that it was at least in great measure a true guide to a 
broader and higher knowledge of the subject; that it was not 
opposed to religion properly so called; and that every one did not 
know it before ; but that it had brought forward facts hitherto un- 
known, and that further there was a growing acknowledgment of the 
truth of his theory by some of the most eminent naturalists of 
Europe. One of the principal advantages attending the theory was 
that it explained better than any other a phenomenon in the 
geographical distribution of species, which it was very difficult, if 
not impossible, to explain in any other way—namely, the fact that 
in certain parts of the world species were found existing which 
were certainly not those best suited to the surrounding conditions ; 
for other species, introduced from other surrounding far-off districts, 
speedily took their place. This was found to be the case in but 
little known parts of the earth’s surface, where, according to all 
appearance, there has been very little if any change in climatal 
conditions for a very long period. If all these species had been 
created by the direct act of God, they would naturally expect to 
find them in those positions only which were best suited to their 
welfare ; but to some extent at least the reverse was the case, and 
the only rational explanation of this phenomenon seemed to be 
Mr. Darwin’s theory, by which they had only to imagine that 
certain forms of life migrated to certain localities, where, finding 
no allied species to interfere with their welfare, they established them- 
selves pro tempore ; but when the time arrived for the introduction of 
species better suited to the natural surroundings, the latter super- 
seded the former, which would in course of time perhaps become 
extinct. Lastly, in forming an estimate of the scientific attainments 
of Mr. Darwin, as giving him a fair claim to the reverential re- 
membrance of future generations, it should be borne in mind that 
the most characteristic feature of his works was perhaps not so 
much the fresh facts he had accumulated (though these were 
numerous and valuable) as the altogether new light he had thrown 
upon the subject of which he treated, and which seemed transfigured 
by his wonderful genius. A great deal had been said about the 
necessity of reconciling science with religion. It was quite true 
