Evolution and Natural Selection 



appear very foolish. We must, however, bear in 

 mind that at the time of the publication of the 

 Origin of Species both natural selection and evolu- 

 tion were comparatively unknown ideas. Darwin 

 had to fight for both. He had to prove evolution 

 as well as natural selection. Many of the facts 

 adduced by him supported both. It is, there- 

 fore, not altogether surprising that many of 

 his opponents failed to distinguish between 

 them. 



A glance at the Origin of Species will suffice to 

 show how considerable is the portion of the book 

 that deals with the evidence in favour of evolution 

 rather than of natural selection. 



Of the fourteen chapters which make up the 

 book no fewer than nine are devoted to proving 

 that evolution has occurred. It has been truly 

 said, that for every one fact biologists have found 

 in support of the special theory of natural selec- 

 tion they have found ten facts supporting the 

 doctrine of evolution. Darwin, then, was in the 

 position of a skilled barrister who has a plausible 

 case and who knows the ins and outs of his brief, 

 while his opponents stood in the shoes of inex- 

 perienced counsel who had but recently received 

 their brief, and who had not had the time to 

 master the details thereof. In such circum- 

 stances it is not difficult to predict which way the 

 verdict of the jury will go. 



Darwin, moreover, had a charming personality. 



9 



