INTRODUCTION 9 



always clearly distinguish in their minds between Evolution 

 and the means by which evolutionary changes have been brought 

 about. Darwin tried to prove that the great agency (so long 

 sought for in vain) was Natural Selection. Hence some people 

 mean Natural Selection when they speak of Darwinism. Since 

 Darwin's death in the year 1882 a great many naturalists and 

 others have pondered deeply on this great subject; new facts 

 and new conceptions have arisen on the question of the Origin 

 of Species. Some of our readers may perhaps think that 

 Darwin settled the question once for all. But that is not so. 

 True, there is a powerful school of naturalists (Neo-Darwinians) 

 who never weary of telling us that Natural Selection is the 

 great and principal cause, or agency, whereby new species arose. 

 On the other hand, there are many living naturalists of renown 

 who are unwilling to accept Darwin's explanation. Moreover, 

 to some minds such an explanation is far too mechanical, in- 

 volving a narrow view of the beauties and wonders of Creation, 

 as if Utility were the principal thing. Again, it is possible 

 that the struggle between individuals of the same or near 

 species is not so great as the Darwinian conception demanded. 

 Darwin's argument was largely based on the analogy of the sort 

 of selection used by breeders of plants and domestic animals. 

 It now appears that this analogy is not quite safe. Some 

 naturalists believe that the great progress Man has made in 

 breeding pigeons, cattle, horses, dogs, and flowers may all be 

 based on definite and sudden changes, now known as " Muta- 

 tions " (sports). Mendel's Law was unknown to Darwin, and 

 the striking suggestions of De Vries had not appeared in his 

 day. In conclusion, it only remains to say (for our space is 

 limited) that at present the great problem is unsolved. Perhaps 

 the time is hardly ripe. 



