DARWIN. 10U 



natural selection by the extent to which it explains the 

 geological succession of organic beings, their distribution 

 in past and present times, and their mutual affinities and 

 homologies. The two latter works were never completed, 

 in consequence of ill-health, and the labour involved in 

 dealing with objections to and new facts in support of the 

 " Origin," and of the other works which at various times 

 it became important to complete. But many portions of 

 these subjects were admirably dealt with by disciples. In 

 some cases Darwin's views led to the rapid growth of a 

 new science, such as that of comparative embryology, and 

 it would not have been possible for him to cope with and 

 interpret the multitude of new and astonishing facts dis- 

 covered, which changed the face of organic nature as 

 viewed by biologists. By doing each day the work which 

 seemed most necessary, and which he could best do, 

 Darwin managed, in spite of his infirmity of constitution, 

 to complete a larger body of original work, both in ex- 

 periment and in thought, together with a greater quantity 

 of bibliographical study and collation of observed facts, 

 than any Englishman perhaps has ever done. 



The valuable book on "Variation" records and 

 systematises a vast number of facts respecting all our 

 principal domestic animals and cultivated plants. It 

 gives evidence of wide reading, as well as great diligence 

 in writing letters of inquiry to all living authorities who 

 could give accurate information. Very many visits were 

 paid to zoological gardens, breeders' establishments, 

 nursery grounds, &c. ; and the preparation of skulls, 

 skins, &c., was a frequent occurrence in the Darwinian 

 laboratory. To take the case of rabbits alone, which 



