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them before you in another way on some future occasion. I would 

 only at present observe that, if we had the right answers to the 

 many questions that suggest themselves to the thoughtful naturalist, 

 not only would our knowledge of Biology be greatly advanced, but 

 we should be in a fair position to judge of the theories brought 

 forward in explanation of the ways and workings of life, often so 

 concealed from view, and when seen so liable to be misunderstood. 



Would that some of you who listen to me would assist in such 

 an undertaking. You may say that you disbelieve Darwin's theory 

 altogether, and will have nothing to do with it. But the teaching 

 of one of the greatest naturalists of the age, who laboured for 

 years, multiplying in every conceivable way his observations and 

 experiments before enunciating his views, and whose disciples are 

 yearly increasing in number, does not deserve to be hastily pushed 

 aside in this manner. Distinguish, too, between facts and theory. 

 Facts such as you are asked to contribute, if correctly ascertained, 

 command your assent. Any theory by which it is sought to 

 explain the facts may be wrong, and you are not bound to accept 

 that. Only suspend your judgment. Keep your mind in a balanced 

 state till the issue is fairly revealed. Do not join in a loud cry 

 against views which, it may be, you have never rightly considered 

 or looked into ; but go rather in the spirit of true science and 

 search fof facts which will overturn the theory if wrong it really 

 be. This is what Darwin himself would desire. He did not expect 

 his views all at once to be taken up and adopted. He looked to the 

 future. 



Towards the conclusion of his world -renowned work on the 

 " Origin of Species" lie says, " Any one whose disposition leads hira 

 to attach more weight to unexplained difficulties than to the 

 explanation of a certain number of facts will certainly reject my 

 theory. A few naturalists, endowed with much flexibility of mind, 

 and who have already begun to doubt on the immutability of 

 species, may be influenced by this volume ; but I look with con- 

 fidence to the future, to young and rising naturalists, who will be 

 able to view both sides of the question with impartiality. Who- 

 ever is led to believe that species are mutable, will do good ser- 

 vice by conscientiously expressing his conviction ; for only thus 



