

TIME AND LIFE 141 



of natural causes, unlimited modification may in the lapse 

 of long ages occur. 



For an explanation of what I have here called vaguely 

 " surrounding circumstances," and of why they continu- 

 ally change for ample proof that the " struggle for exist- 

 ence " is a very great reality, and assuredly tends to exert 

 the influence ascribed to it I must refer to Mr. Darwin's 

 book. I believe I have stated fairly the position upon 

 which his whole theory must stand or fall ; and it is not 

 my purpose to anticipate a full review of his work. If it 

 can be proved that the process of natural selection, operat- 

 ing upon any species, can give rise to varieties of species 

 so different from one another that none of our tests will 

 distinguish them from true species, Mr. Darwin's hypo- 

 thesis of the origin of species will take its place among 

 the established theories of science, be its consequences 

 whatever they may. If, on the other hand, Mr. Darwin 

 has erred, either in fact or in reasoning, his fellow-workers 

 will soon find out the weak points in his doctrines, and 

 their extinction by some nearer approximation to the truth 

 will exemplify his own principle of natural selection. 



In either case the question is one to be settled only 

 by the painstaking, truth-loving investigation of skilled 

 naturalists. It is the duty of the general public to await 

 the result in patience ; and, above all things, to discourage, 

 as they would any other crimes, the attempt to enlist the 

 prejudices of the ignorant, or the uncharitableness of the 

 bigoted, on either side of the controversy. 



