258 EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION LECT. 



time, and surely the fact that they will be performed 

 under good conditions, in a laboratory specially pre- 

 pared for such investigations, will contribute greatly 

 to the final success. The co-operation of many out- 

 siders might be of great use. Young men might 

 spend some time some three, four, or five years, or 

 more in attending specially to some of the experi- 

 ments in course of execution, in the investigation of 

 some special points. Many friends of science could 

 also do good work and help greatly by agreeing, for 

 instance, to cultivate in various localities the same 

 species of plant, or to co-operate in breeding special 

 varieties of animals and reporting the results. In 

 fact, all natural history societies, all laboratories, and 

 all individuals could undertake a share of work, 

 and among the individuals, naturalists, horticulturists, 

 breeders, and pisciculturists would occupy a pro- 

 minent part. The institution for the experimental 

 investigation of evolution would thus be the head- 

 quarters for all that concerns evolution, and its in- 

 fluence would make itself felt in all departments of 

 natural history, and thus create a strong current in 

 the line which, sooner or later, must be opened. 



I do not entertain the slightest doubt as to the fact 

 that it will be opened. The thing must be done. It 

 is a matter of money as usual. But in civilized 

 countries individuals or corporations are occasionally 



