1 MEMOIR. 
were created by variation, and suppose it were discovered that it was not so, 
but that they originated out of 0, or out of inorganic elements, suddenly. 
I do not think that to the latter view we should transfer the word creaze at 
all. As our language stands, the word ‘ creation’ logically implies ‘ miracle,’ 
in the ordinary acceptation of that term. Huxley has rightly pointed out 
that creation by variation is no less miracle, but it is an ‘ orderly miracle.’ 
In origin or beginning both miracles are inconceivable ; but one is intermittent, 
the other is continuous, and admits of a conceivable rationale as to its 
operation. 
‘‘ Ever most truly yours, 
‘‘ Jos. D. HOOKER: 
The letter to which the subjoined is in reply is not among the 
correspondence which fortunately has been preserved on both sides, 
but the line of argument which it seeks to refute is fairly clear. 
The letters here given were written between the reading and 
publication of the papers in the Tyvansactions of the Linnean 
Society, and their contents have permanent value as contributions 
to the question of the operations of external conditions in the 
modification of species—a question to which addéd interest is given 
by the theories of Dr. Weismann.” 
Dr. FF. D. Hooker to H. W. Bates. 
“Kew, Zebruary 2nd, 1862. 
‘“My DEAR MR. BATES, 
‘Tl have been thinking much of your extremely interesting letter 
before answering it, and shall be only too glad if I can say anything that can 
tend to remove any difficulties. I need hardly commence by telling you that 
my opinions are nothing, that the whole question wants working out by 
observation, as you are doing, and by experiments which no one has 
attempted or even suggested, that I know of. What I have said and shall 
now say, you must take, zo¢ as opinions of mine, but as my tendencies of 
thought. Certainly I zzclzme to believe that variation is sufficient to insure 
any amount of divergence, and that it (the principle or fact called variation) 
is independent who//y as to amount and kind of local circumstances. 
‘«« My reasons for thus thinking are:—1. That it has never been shown 
experimentally that induced habit of the zwdzvzdual is necessary, there 
being variation enough without it. 2. It seems more philosophical to 
suppose that the principle of variation is one thing, immutable, and that 
local circumstances are the secondary causes acting through natural 
selection on the varieties, killing some, sparing some, directing inter- 
marriages, etc., etc. 3. That it would simplify matters very much if we 
could thus disentangle the two phenomena of variation and natural selection. 
* Essays upon Heredity, and Kindred Problems. By Dr. Aug. Weismann (Clarendon 
Press), vol. i., 1890; vol. ii, 1892, and vide infra, p. Ixxxvil. 
