178 CRITICISMS ON " THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES " 



Kolliker, inasmuch as he proposes to replace Mr. Darwin's 

 Theory by one which he terms the Theory of Heterogeneous 

 Generation. We shall proceed to consider first the destruc- 

 tive, and secondly, the constructive portion of the essay. 



We regret to find ourselves compelled to dissent very 

 widely from many of Professor Kolliker's remarks ; and 

 from none more thoroughly than from those in which he 

 seeks to define what we may term the philosophical position 

 of Darwinism. 



" Darwin," says Professor Kolliker, " is, in the fullest sense of 

 the word, a Teleologist. He says quite distinctly (First Edition, 

 pp. 199, 200) that every particular in the structure of an animal 

 has been created for its benefit, and he regards the whole series of 

 animal forms only from this point of view." 



And again : 



" 7. The teleological general conception adopted by Darwin is a 

 mistaken one. 



" Varieties arise irrespectively of the notion of purpose, or of 

 utility, according to general laws of Nature, and may be either 

 useful, or hurtful, or indifferent. 



" The assumption that an organism exists only on account of some 

 definite end in view, and represents something more than the 

 incorporation of a general idea, or law, implies a one-sided conception 

 of the universe. Assuredly, every organ has, and every organism 

 fulfils, its end, but its purpose is not the condition of its existence. 

 Every organism is also sufficiently perfect for the purpose it serves, 

 and in that, at least, it is useless to seek for a cause of its improve- 

 ment." 



It is singular how differently one and the same book will 

 impress different minds. That which struck the present 

 writer most forcibly on his first perusal of the Origin of 

 Species was the conviction that Teleology, as commonly 

 understood, had received its deathblow at Mr. Darwin's 

 hands. For the teleological argument runs thus : an 

 organ or organism (A) is precisely fitted to perform a 

 function or purpose (B) ; therefore it was specially con- 

 structed to perform that function. In Paley's famous 

 illustration, the adaptation of all the parts of the watch 

 to the function, or purpose, of showing the time, is held to 

 be evidence that the watch was specially contrived to that 

 end ; on the ground, that the only cause we know of, 

 competent to produce such an effect as a watch which shall 



