382 MISCELLANEA. [1881. 



[The Physiological Society, which was founded in 1876, was 

 in some measure the outcome of the anti-vivisection move- 

 ment, since it was this agitation which impressed on Physiolo- 

 gists the need of a centre for those engaged in this particular 

 branch of science. With respect to the Society, my father 

 wrote to Mr. Romanes (May 29, 1876) : 



"I was very much gratified by the wholly unexpected 

 honour of being elected one of the Honorary Members. 

 This mark of sympathy has pleased me to a very high 

 degree." 



The following letter appeared in the Times, April i8th, 

 1881 :] 



C. Darwin to Frithiof Holmgren* 



Down, April 14, 1881. 



DEAR SIR, In answer to your courteous letter of April 7, 

 I have no objection to express my opinion with respect to 

 the right of experimenting on living animals. I use this latter 

 expression as more correct and comprehensive than that of 

 vivisection. You are at liberty to make any use of this letter 

 which you may think fit, but if published I should wish the 

 whole to appear. I have all my life been a strong advocate 

 for humanity to animals, and have done what I could in my 

 writings to enforce this duty. Several years ago, when the 

 agitation against physiologists commenced in England, it 

 was asserted that inhumanity was here practised, and useless 

 suffering caused to animals ; and I was led to think that it 

 might be advisable to have an Act of Parliament on the 

 subject. I then took an active part in trying to get a Bill 

 passed, such as would have removed all just cause of com- 

 plaint, and at the same time have left physiologists free to 

 pursue their researches, a Bill very different from the Act 

 which has since been passed. It is right to add that the 

 investigation of the matter by a Royal Commission proved 

 that the accusations made against our English physiologists 



* Professor of Physiology at Upsala. 



