76 ANDREW JACKSON HOWE. 



that every part of the earth fit for the existence of 

 certain animals should have developed them through 

 the forces of spontaneous generation, and the laws of 

 transmutation. If vitality de novo can obtain a foot- 

 ing spontaneously in one instance, it may arise a 

 thousand times, and in as many different parts of the 

 earth ; and with the supposition that each primitive 

 germ be endowed with a progressive and purposive 

 instinct, having variability as a leading principle, 

 every island and isolated region of the earth should at 

 length have a multitudinous variety of creatures, with 

 grades reaching up to and embracing man. Now it is 

 a fact that when Australia was discovered by civilized 

 man, this continental island did riot embrace many 

 classes of animals that might have flourished there. 

 As soon as fish, birds, and neat herds were taken to 

 these far off lands, the exotic creatures thrived aston- 

 ishingly. This shows that unassisted nature is some- 

 times unable to make the best of herself; and that the 

 powers of evolution are incompetent to people all 

 lands with the best organic forms. There was an ex- 

 cellent opportunity for carnivora to thrive, yet few 

 flesh eaters existed in Australia, Tasmania, or New 

 Zealand. 



In estimating the merits of Darwinism, it should 

 be borne in mind that there is nothing strikingly new 

 in the " struggle for existence " doctrine. Long be- 

 fore Darwin lived the observing among mankind 

 must have perceived that all organic beings are of 

 necessity subjected to severe competition in obtaining 

 food. All the conditions of life necessitate activity 

 and rivalry. In the struggle for existence every- 

 where apparent, the most shocking injustice generally 

 prevails. The weak have to contribute to the strength 



