EVOLUTION THEORY 13 



matter under discussion is not the origin of species, 

 but the origin of the world and of all it contains, man 

 himself included. 



It would require much time to convey a correct 

 idea of the gradual evolution of the Evolution theory 

 itself. It did not spring out of the brain of one man, 

 fully equipped and ready, as Minerva is said to have 

 come to life. On the contrary, it developed slowly, 

 cautiously, very timidly, we may say. And this for 

 good reasons, prominent among which was the un- 

 animous assault its defenders had to receive each time 

 they tried to say a word in its favour. No doubt these 

 fights and defeats were unpleasant, but they turned 

 to the advantage of the vanquished, and each defeat 

 became a tonic to him, by which his forces were 

 invigorated and freshened. The idea of evolution, 

 and more specially of organic evolution, is, however, 

 of recent origin. At first it was a very vague and 

 unscientific notion. Although I have no intention of 

 giving an historical account of the evolution of the 

 Evolution theory, I may be allowed to give some 

 instances, to show some stepping-stones. Similar 

 instances are certainly to be found in English 

 and German literature, but I shall be content with 

 quoting here some facts belonging to French litera- 

 ture, as they may be less familiar to most English 

 readers. 



