OBITUARY 287 
conviction by observing that although the 
“Origin” has been close on thirty-years before the 
‘world, the strangest misconceptions of the 
“essential nature of the theory therein advocated 
_are still put forth by serious writers, 
a Although, then, the present occasion is not 
Suitable for any detailed criticism of the theory, or 
of the objections which have been brought against 
‘it, it may not be out of place to endeavour to 
separate the substance of the theory from its 
accidents ; and to show that a variety not only of 
hostile comments, but of friendly would-be im- 
provements lose their raison d’étre to the careful 
student. Observation proves the existence among 
all living beings of phenomena of three kinds, de- 
noted by the terms heredity, variation, and multi- 
Plication. Progeny tend to resemble their parents ; 
‘nevertheless all their organs and functions are sus- 
ceptible of departing more or less from the average 
parental character ; and their number is in excess 
of that of their parents. Severe competition for 
the means of living, or the struggle for existence, 
is a necessary consequence of unlimited multipli- 
eation; while selection, or the preservation of 
favourable variations and the extinction of others, 
is a necessary consequence of severe competition. 
“Favourable variations” are those which are 
better adapted to surrounding conditions. It 
same opinion. Sir J. Hooker writes, ‘‘It is’ the very hardest 
book to read, to full profit, that I ever tried.” * (II. p. 242.) 
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