THEORIES: OF EV OLURION: 
BY EDWARD B. POULTON.? 
In dealing with theories of evolution, I think that we shall all 
be agreed that we may leave out of consideration the question of 
the origin of life, and deal only with what has happened to life 
after its appearance, however that may have taken place. On 
this subject we shall probably most of us still agree with the 
opinion of Darwin’, that we are not in a position to even speculate 
or think upon that question, —that any speculation about it 
is almost a waste of time. And this, I think, remains true in 
spite of the magnificent results of the organic chemists in produ- 
cing chemical bodies by synthesis, which before had been regarded 
1 Read February 7, 1894. 
2 In Life and letters. 
