PREFACE 



AT the suggestion of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, the 

 -^-^ Syndics of the University Press decided in March, 1908, to 

 arrange for the publication of a series of Essays in commemoration 

 of the Centenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and of the Fiftieth 

 anniversary of the publication of Tlie Origin of Species. The pre- 

 liminary arrangements were made by a committee consisting of the 

 following representatives of the Council of the Philosophical Society 

 and of the Press Syndicate : Dr H. K. Anderson, Prof. Bateson, 

 IVIr Francis Darwin, Dr Hobson, Dr Marr, Prof Sedgwick, Mr David 

 Sharp, Mr Shipley, Prof. Sorley, Prof Seward. In the course of the 

 preparation of the volume, the original scheme and list of authors 

 have been modified : a few of those invited to contribute essays were, 

 for various reasons, unable to do so, and some alterations have been 

 made in the titles of articles. For the selection of authors and for 

 the choice of subjects, the committee are mainly responsible, but for 

 such share of the work in the preparation of the volume as usually 

 falls to the lot of an editor I accept full responsibility. 



Authoi's were asked to address thetnselves primarily to the 

 educated layman rather than to the expert. It Avas hoped that the 

 publication of the essays would serve the double purpose of illus- 

 trating tlie far-reaching influence of Darwin's work on the progress of 

 knowledge and the present attitude of original investigators uud 

 thinkers towards the views embodied in Darwin's works. 



In regard to the interpretation of a passage in The 0)i(/in of 

 Species quoted on page 71, it seemed advisable to add an editorial 

 footnote; but, with this exception, I have not felt it necessary to 

 record any opinion on views stated in the essays. 



