THE FOREST. 39 



No doubt the investigation of tropical nature is 

 responsible for the evolution theory. Even if this 

 be questionable in Darwin's case, although it 

 seems evident that his voyage in the Beagle gave 

 him the first glimmerings of light on the subject, 

 it cannot be disputed in that of Wallace. Then 

 Bates, Belt, and a number of others who have 

 collected evidence in support of the theory have all 

 lived in the tropics and forwarded their observa- 

 tions to be dealt with by students all over the 

 world. Here, in the Guiana forest, the evidence 

 for continual development is beyond question. 

 Every tree, every animal, and every man is a 

 living example of heredity and environment 

 natural and sexual selection. The struggle for 

 life and the survival of the fittest can be seen 

 every day in the forest, on the banks of the rivers, 

 among the sedges and grasses of the swamp, along 

 our muddy shores and in our semi-wild gardens. 

 The man of the forest, when untainted by contact 

 with his more civilised cousin, also, like every 

 other animal, shows that evolution is at work 

 to-day as it has been through all past ages. 

 Every living thing is ever moving forward, working 

 towards an end which is unattainable perfection. 

 But, although this object will never be achieved, 

 the results of the struggle bring it continually a 



