PREFACE 



WITHIN the limits of this little volume it would be 

 scarcely possible to deal with the vast subject of Organic 

 Evolution from all points of vjew. That evolution has 

 taken place is now universally admitted by students of 

 Biology. I have, therefore, discussed not so much the 

 evidence for the doctrine of transformation, as the 

 results of modern research on the nature and relative 

 importance of the factors which have contributed to the 

 production of the various forms of life we see around us. 

 No attempt has been made to give an historical account 

 of theories of evolution, and many important point, 

 ha.ve been only very briefly treated, owing to lack of 

 space. As far as possible the use of technical terms has 

 been avoided ; but if the meaning is to be clear and 

 definite, it must sometimes be expressed in technical 

 language. Such terms are explained in the text, anc 

 the reader will easily find the explanation on turning 

 to the index at the end of the book. 



EDWIN S. GOODKICH. 



MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD, 

 March 18, 1912 



