230 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. IX 



influence of life on the structure of the globe, no one, 

 so far as I know, has done a more brilliant and far- 

 reaching piece of work than the famous book upon 

 Coral Reefs. 



I add to these as incidental trifles the numerous 

 papers on Geology, and that most delightful of popular 

 scientific books, the Journal of a Naturalist, and I think 

 I have made out my case for the justification of to-day's 

 proceedings. 



But I have omitted something. There is the Origin 

 of Species, and all that has followed it from the same 

 marvellously fertile brain. 



Most people know Mr. Darwin only as the author of 

 this work, and of the form of evolutional doctrine which 

 it advocates. I desire to say nothing about that doctrine. 

 My friend Dr. Humphry has said that the University 

 has by to-day's proceedings committed itself to the 

 doctrine of evolution. I can only say " I am very glad 

 to hear it." But whether that doctrine be true or 

 whether it be false, I wish to express the deliberate 

 opinion, that from Aristotle's great summary of the 

 Biological knowledge of his time down to the present 

 day, there is nothing comparable to the Origin of Species, 

 as a connected survey of the phenomena of life permeated 

 and vivified by a central idea. In remote ages the 

 historian of science will dwell upon it as the starting- 

 point of the Biology of his present and our future. 



My friend Dr. Humphry has adverted to somebody 

 about whom I know nothing, who says that the exact 

 and critical studies pursued in this University are ill- 

 calculated to preserve a high tone of mind. 



I presume that this saying must proceed from some 

 one wholly unacquainted with Cambridge, Whoever he 

 may be, I beg him, if he can, to make the acquaintance 

 of Charles Darwin. 



In Mr. Darwin's name I beg leave to thank you for 

 the honour you have done him. 



