TUE state entomologist. ITS 



the biological part of his science, and studies insects more in the fields 

 his views must necessarily change. Indeed, nest to plants, insects 

 offer, perhaps, the best material for the inquiring mind to work upon. 

 Their rapid multiplication, the rapid manner in which one generation* 

 is often followed by another, the wonderful manner in which they are 

 often affected by climate and food, especially during the preparatory 

 or adolescent stages — all tend to furnish variation for Natural Selection 

 to work upon, in a profusion unknown in the higher animals. Though 

 the formation of a species in the other Classes of animals may never 

 be in man's power to trace, on account of the great lapse of time re- 

 quired; it seems highly probable that the process may some day be 

 traced in insects, and Mr. Bates gives strong proof of the derivation 

 of one butterfly (Jleliconius tkelxlope) from another (Heliconius 

 melpomene) and a clear insight into the manner in which the gradual 

 modifications take place, till at last the two forms cease to interbreed f 

 and are in every sense of the word true species.* 



After all, the great objection to the theory of Natural Selection,, 

 in the minds of many, is, that it involves belief in the broader doc- 

 trine of Development— of Evolution. Very true! But, no matter 

 how much importance be attached to Natural Selection, the funda- 

 mental truth of the development of species is now almost universally 

 accepted by scientific men best able to judge of its merits; and those 

 who have not considered the subject may be excused from judging of 

 it. Indeed it can hardly any longer be considered a hypothesis : it is 

 in reality established as a law, and as eminent a naturalist as Carl 

 Vogt has even ventured the assertion that "no one in Europe dares 

 any longer sustain the independent and direct creation of species." 

 Development is a fact in nature, and the revelations of science 

 strengthen faith in the universality of her laws and principles. No 

 one can study well the facts in natural science, or the truths of phil- 

 ology, which point to corresponding results, without feeling more 

 strongly than ever words can express, the general truth of the doc- 

 trine. Our own Agassiz is about the only great naturalist who op- 

 poses it, though it is rather significant that many of his leading pu- 

 pils have, within the last few years, boldly proclaimed their faith in 

 Darwinism. If there is one error in Agassiz' life, I take it to be the 

 authority which he has lent to that popular prejudice which has al- 

 ways opposed inquiry into the order of nature, and which has ignor- 

 antly accused Darwin of atheism. 



A theory which is so opposed to deep-set tradition and to present 

 theological interpretations, must necessarily at first meet with 

 very great objection. Such has been the history of all great sci- 

 entific truths, for we have Agassiz' own words that fc ' the his- 

 tory of the sciences is present to tell us that there are few of 

 the great truths now recognized which have not been treated 



^Naturalist on the River Amazons, Vol. 1, pp. 255-265. 



