THE GENESIS OF SPECIES. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The problem of the genesis of species stated. Nature of its probable 

 solution. Importance of the question. Position here defended. 

 Statement of the DARWINIAN THEORY. Its applicability to details of 

 geographical distribution ; to rudimentary structures ; to homology ; to 

 mimicry, &c. Consequent utility of the theory. Its wide acceptance. 

 Reasons for this, other than, and in addition to, its scientific value. 

 Its simplicity. Its bearing on religious questions. Odium theologicum 

 and odium antitheologicum. The antagonism supposed by many to 

 exist between it and theology neither necessary nor universal. 

 Christian authorities in favour of evolution. Mr. Darwin's "Animals 

 and Plants under Domestication." Difficulties of the Darwinian 

 theory enumerated. 



THE great problem which has so long exercised the minds 

 of naturalists, namely, that concerning the origin of dif- 

 ferent kinds of animals and plants, seems at last to be 

 fairly on the road to receive perhaps at no very distant 

 future as satisfactory a solution as it can well have. 



But the problem presents peculiar difficulties. The birth 

 of a " species " has often been compared with that of an 

 " individual." The origin, however, of even an individual 

 animal or plant (that which determines an embryo to 



B 



