io8 Specific Genesis 



slight modifications of special use to the organisms possessing 

 them. In fact, that he completely stakes the whole of his 

 theory on the non-existence or non-action of causes of any 

 moment other than Natural Selection ; it being the essence 

 of that theory to recognise only the conservation of slight 

 variations directly beneficial to the creature which possesses 

 them, by affording it better means either of obtaining nour- 

 ishment or of eluding or outstripping its enemies or of 

 reproducing its kind. 



From The Descent of Man, however, we find that Mr. 

 Darwin now recognises and admits ^ that he has fallen into 

 various errors. 



Every respect and deference ought to be shown to a 

 naturalist such as Mr. Darwin, but deference has its limits 

 and must not be exercised to the sacrifice of truth, and truth 

 compels the recognition of the important modifications above 

 noticed. It is not only, however, critics that dissent from 

 Mr. Darwin's views who recognise the existence of these 

 changes. Mr. Darwin's authorised interpreter, Professor 

 Huxley, has lately told us the highly significant fact that Mr. 

 Darwin is even incHned to reply in the affirmative to the 

 question whether a variety 'can be perpetuated, or even 

 intensified, when selective conditions are indifferent, or perhaps 

 unfavourable to its existence' A more complete repudiation 

 in principle of the origin of species by Natural Selection it 

 would be difficult if not impossible to imagine. 



Mr. Darwin has not, however, so far as I know, expHcitly 

 declared what Professor Huxley tells us he is inchned to 

 admit. He has certainly made many important and signifi- 

 cant admissions, but there is one more which consistency 

 seems to demand as the logical outcome of others above cited: 

 I mean the admission that the attribution to Natural Selec- 

 tion of the main determining office in the fixation of specific 



^ See ariie, p. 7. 



