146 THE PROBLEM OF EVOLUTION 



rests with the highest ecclesiastical authorities 

 (cf. Lecture in. p. 54), we are by no means 

 debarred from previously expressing an opinion 

 on the evolution theory, as this is a question 

 of a very complex character. Consequently 

 I stated my views upon it in my lectures, in 

 spite of Professor von Hansemann's scruples. 

 His remarks on Copernicus proceed also from 

 ignorance of the true facts. It is well known 

 that Copernicus in 1543 dedicated his work 

 De Revolutionibus Orbium Caelestium to Pope 

 Paul m., who accepted the dedication. The 

 work treated of an astronomical problem, 

 not of a theological one, so von Hansemann's 

 reference to Copernicus proves nothing at 

 all. 



The speaker passed on to the subject of Virchow, 

 and expressed his satisfaction that Father Was- 

 mann had recognised him as an authority in criti- 

 cising the Pithecanthropus erectus and the Nean- 

 dertal man. He said that in 1874, Wasmann's 

 colleagues had spoken very differently about Virchow, 

 when he would not commit himself on the subject 

 of the impression of the stigmata upon Louise 

 Lateau ; at that time he had been slandered and 

 overwhelmed with abuse. 



It is difficult to see what the stigmata of 

 Louise Lateau have to do with my Berlin 



