LORD Salisbury's criticism. 83 



*' What is to secure that the two individuals of opposite sexes 

 in the primeval forest, who have been both accidentally blessed 

 with the same advantageous variation shall meet, and transmit 

 by inheritance that variation to their successors ? . . . The bi- 

 ologists do well to ask for an immeasurable expanse of time, if 

 the occasional meetings of advantageously varied couples from 

 age to age are to provide the pedigree of modifications which 

 unite us to our ancestor the jelly-fish. . . . There would be 

 nothing but mere chance to secure that the advantageously 

 varied bridegroom at one end of the wood should meet the 

 bride, who by a happy contingency had been advantageously 

 varied in the same direction at the same time at the other end 

 of the wood. It would be a mere chance if they ever knew of 

 each other's existence— a still more unlikely chance that they 

 should resist on both sides all temptations to a less advan- 

 tageous alliance. But unless they did so, the new breed would 

 never even begin, let alone the question of its perpetuation 

 after it had begun," 



It is of interest to reproduce Lord Salisbury's 

 words in close proximity to Darwin's real state- 

 ments on the subject, as shown in the letters to 

 his friends — statements which are also expressed in 

 many places in his published works. 



The joint paper was read before the Linnean 

 Society on July 1st, 1858, about a fortnight 

 after Wallace's essay had been received by Darwin. 

 There was no discussion, but the interest and 

 excitement at the meeting were very great, 

 owing in large part to the influential support with 

 which the new theory came before the scientific 

 world. Darwin appreciated the importance of this 

 support at its true value, for he wrote to Hooker, 

 July 5th :— 



