INTRODUCTION ix 



fact, have gone towards making up that 

 general idea we now more or less share, of the 

 universe as not only orderly, but in process 

 of change. Changing order, orderly change, 

 and this everywhere in nature inorganic and 

 organic, in individual and in social life for 

 this vast conception, now everywhere dif- 

 fusing, often expressed, rarely as yet applied, 

 we need some general term and this is 

 Evolution. 



Now, if this be gaining ground as a con- 

 ception of the world-process, it is time to be 

 inquiring farther into it : how is this to be 

 done ? On one hand historically, thus quickly 

 appropriating the best thought as yet reached 

 by others; on the other hand directly, at first 

 hand and for oneself, in our own environment 

 of life and work and contact with nature. In 

 the former way we shall save time, and in the 

 latter gain definiteness; hence impartially 

 deciding on both, we may most speedily turn 

 for our outlines to our encyclopaedia, say 

 Chambers' articles " Evolution " and " Dar- 

 winian Theory" ; and for direct experience 

 take a holiday in the woods or by the shore. 

 At first the general ideas of our reading, the 

 details of our field-observing, may seem to 

 have little in common, like the old philosopher 

 and the boy collector among our acquaint- 



