208 EVOLUTION OF TO-DAY. 



proximation to the truth. We naturally proceed 

 first to the consideration of the theory of Darwin. 



Darwinism. 



Darwinism and evolution are often considered as 

 synonymous terms, but this is by no means true. 

 Darwin's contribution to science was the principle 

 of Natural Selection. Evolution, as a theory, had 

 existed before, but by this principle Darwin offered 

 to place the theory on a firm basis, by showing the 

 laws regulating the production of species. He ad- 

 vanced an explanation for evolution. He " showed 

 the possibility of discovering the path which Nature 

 struck out in order to produce her endless variety 

 of animal forms, and of detecting the means she has 

 employed in her task." He first showed that evolu- 

 tion might be made a simple theory, founded upon 

 the working of known natural law. His own explan- 

 ation may or may not be true, without affecting 

 materially the real question. While evolution is 

 everywhere accepted, Darwinism proper is largely 

 given up. 



Darwin's explanation of the method by which 

 species arise from others, is by a law which he calls 

 Natural Selection, and which is called by Spencer 

 the Survival of the Fittest. This law is so well 

 understood by every one, that only a brief summary 

 is here necessary. It is, in general, an attempt to 

 explain how the various organs of plants and ani- 

 mals have become so admirably adapted to their 

 conditions, (i) Darwin shows that animals have a 

 tendency to vary. Child is not always like parent, 



