278 TOILERS IN THE SEA. 



account. And what is one of the many results 

 which have been added to our knowledge of nature, 

 to our estimate of the true character and history of 

 the globe we live on ? It is that Darwin's theory is 

 a dream. It is not only unsound, but it is, in many 

 respects, directly the reverse of truth. With all his 

 conscientiousness, with all his caution, with all his 

 powers of observation, Darwin in this matter fell into 

 errors as profound as the abysses of the Pacific. All the 

 acclamations, with which it was received, were as the 

 shouts of an ignorant mob. It is well to know that 

 the plebiscites of science may be as dangerous, and 

 as hollow, as those of politics. The overthrow of 

 Darwin's speculation is only beginning to be known. 

 It has been whispered for some time. The cherished 

 dogma has been dropping very slowly out of sight. 

 Can it be possible that Darwin was wrong ? Must 

 we, indeed, give up all that we have been accepting 

 and teaching for more than a generation ? Reluc- 

 tantly, almost sulkily, and with a grudging silence, as 

 far as public discussion is concerned, the ugly pos- 

 sibility has been contemplated, as too disagreeable to 

 be much talked about. The evidence, old and new, 

 has been weighed, and weighed again, and the 

 obviously inclining balance has been looked at 

 askance many times. But, despite all averted looks, 

 I apprehend that it has settled to its place for ever, 

 -and Darwin's theory of the coral islands must be 



