Bibliographical Notice. 139 



cannot demonstrate this, undoubtedly, for it is not a truth of sense ; 

 but it is a truth, nevertheless, of the highest reason (founded on a 

 limited experience), which a reflecting mind will at once receive 

 without evidence ; and it may therefore be almost regarded as an 

 axiom. But what does this fact (self-evident as it is) indicate, except 

 this : that, Avhilst "individual variation" (in each species) is literally 

 endless, it is at the same time strictly prescribed within its proper 

 morphotic limits (as regulated by its specific range), even though 

 we may be totally unatile to define their hoxinds ? For, if otherwise, 

 how could it happen that, whilst individually different ad infinitum, 

 they are nevertheless (in many species) so alike in the mass as to 

 appear to our rough judgment absolutely identical ? Hence, we can- 

 not regard "individual variability" as a phenomenon of any real im- 

 portance or signification, but simply as a fact almost involved, as it 

 were, in our very notions of individuality ; for, if ever there was a 

 truth more certain than another, it is this : that " there is no simili- 

 tude in nature that owneth not also to a difference." 



But, altho\igh we cannot honestly believe, except to a very limited 

 extent, in this "natural selection" theory, as being directly opposed 

 to the doctrine of Efficient Causation (which involves the conception 

 of intelligence, free-agency, and will), as excluding even the idea of 

 creative foresight from the natural world, and so rendering final 

 causes both absurd and impossible, and, moreover, as built chiefly 

 upon negative evidence, and unsupported by the majority oi facts, still 

 we by no means wish to imply that INIr. Darwin's volume (so full, as 

 it is, of bold hypotheses and philosophical suggestions) is not a most 

 valual)le and important fund of knowledge, but, on the contrary, that it 

 will doubtless prove a solid and lasting contribution to science, as one 

 which will inevitably direct a mass of future observations into a new 

 channel ; for to leave an opposite impression would be the deepest 

 act of ingratitude on our part for the great profit that we have derived 

 from the careful perusal of its contents. His remarks on geographical 

 distribution (a subject which he has so long and so carefully studied) 

 are most instructive and admirable, and will supply an explanation 

 for many an obscure and puzzling fact which has so often per[)lexed 

 observers, concerning the a])pearance of similar and closely allied 

 forms in regions far removed from each other. Especially interesting, 

 too, is the whole of his Section on " Dispersal during the Glacial 

 Period," from which we should be tempted to quote largely did space 

 permit. But as such is unfortunately wanting, we must leave this 

 subject, as well as the entire portion concerning the geological suc- 

 cession and the imperfections of its record, altogether unglanced at. 

 He states his difficulties with honesty, precision, and clearness, and 

 sometimes (as it a])pears to us) even exposes them more than is 

 necessary — to his own disadvantage : but we wish that we could add 

 that, in spite of this candour on his part (a candour which is so 

 manly and outspoken as almost to "cover a multitude of sins"), we 

 thought any of them satisfactorily replied to. There is a clever and 

 ingenious pleading for them all ; but, if we look back into the volume, 

 we find (to use the mildest expression) that each, in its turn, has been 



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