HUXLEY 13 



of some work of prominent worth, the intervals 

 between each such work being filled up with the 

 products of a number of intermediate less signifi- 

 cant labours contributing to the progress, but in a 

 less effective manner. The work whose appear- 

 ance thus marks a step, whether it be what is 

 called a discovery, or whether it be the setting 

 forth of a new view or theory, is often spoken of 

 as a classic work; it is remembered, and referred 

 to afterwards again and again, while the less 

 significant labours are forgotten. For many 

 years Huxley continued to produce in Compara- 

 tive Anatomy, including Palaeontology, for to 

 this also by sheer force of circumstances he was 

 led to direct his attention, works which are en- 

 rolled in the list of scientific classics. The earlier 

 of these, those on jelly fish, molluscs, and other 

 oceanic animal forms, were done as almost 

 apprentice work, done while he was as yet a mere 

 youngster, serving as a surgical subaltern on 

 board the Rattlesnake in an exploring expedition 

 to the Australian seas. These and the rest are 

 to be found in the four large volumes of scientific 

 memoirs which his publishers, Messrs. Macmillan, 

 brought out as their contribution to the memory 

 of his name. Of the many memoirs contained in 

 those volumes a large number are now and always 

 will be spoken of as classic memoirs. To the 

 man of science those volumes alone are adequate 

 proof of how much Huxley did to push forward 

 the science among the followers of which fate had 

 led him to enrol himself. 



