VIEWS OF LAMAECK 875 



which they present, are entirely artificial contrivances. Nothing 

 of all that, I repeat, occurs in nature, in spite of the foundation 

 which appears to be given to them by certain portions of the 

 natural series which are known to us, and which have the 

 appearance of being isolated. We may be certain that amongst 

 her productions, nature has really formed neither classes, nor 

 orders, nor families, nor genera, nor constant species, but only 

 individuals which succeed one another and which resemble 

 those which produced them. Now these individuals belong to 

 infinitely diversified races, which shade off under all forms and 

 in all degrees of organization, and each of which maintains 

 itself without change so long as no cause of change acts 

 upon it." 1 



" The name species has been given to every collection of 

 similar individuals which have been produced by other individuals 

 like themselves. 



"This definition is exact; for every individual that enjoys 

 life always resembles very closely that or those from which it 

 sprang. But to this definition has been added the supposition 

 that the individuals which make up a species never vary in 

 their specific character, and that consequently the species has 

 an absolute constancy in nature. 



"It is exactly this supposition that I propose to combat, 

 because the clear evidence obtained by observation shews that 

 it is unfounded. 



" The supposition, almost universally admitted, that living 

 bodies form species constantly distinguished by invariable 

 characters, and that the existence of these species is as old as 

 that of nature herself, was established at a time when obser- 

 vations were insufficient, and when the natural sciences were 

 still almost non-existent. It is always contradicted in the eyes 

 of those who have seen much, who have for a long time followed 

 nature, and who have profitably consulted the great and rich 

 collections of our Museum." 2 



After speaking of the doctrine of special creation Lamarck 

 continues : 



"Without doubt, nothing exists except by the will of the 

 sublime Author of all things. But can we assign to Him laws 

 in the execution of His will, and fix the method which He has 

 followed in this respect ? Has not His infinite power been able 

 to create an order of tJiiiif/s which should give existence 



1 " Philosophic Zoologique," Tom. I, pp. 21, 22. 



2 Of), cit., Tom. I, pp. 54, 55. 



