of the Evolution J'lnhisopJiy. 5 



we find that a far simpler and more complete explanation of 

 the facts is afforded by the established principles of vari- 

 ation and natnral selection." Mr. Wallace's general conclu- 

 sion is that all other laAvs and factors in organic evolution 

 " must have operated in entire subordination to the law of 

 natural selection," — a conclusion which he supports by 

 logical argument from such a wealth of accumulated facts, 

 that it will be extremely difficult for his opponents si; cess- 

 fully to combat his views. 



While asserting the continuity of man's progress from 

 the brute, and of the higher animals from the protoplasmic 

 cell, Mr. Wallace believes that at three definite stages in 

 the progress of organic evolution there has been an in- 

 troduction of new causes, not involved in nor evolved 

 from the forces previously operating. These are, 1st., the 

 change from inorganic to organic life, otherwise involved 

 in the conception of spontaneous generation ; L'nd, the in- 

 troduction of sensation or consciousness, which "is still 

 more marvelous, still more completely beyond all possi- 

 bility of explanation by matter, its laws and forces " ; and, 

 3rd, the development of certain noble characteristics' and 

 faculties in man, as, for example, his moral and intellectual 

 nature, and the mathematical, artistic and musical facul- 

 ties, which differentiate him from the brute animals, indi- 

 cate the reality of a spiritual universe, and prophetically 

 assure an immortal life for the spiritual nature of man. 



His peculiar views on these topics will probably appear 

 more or less reasonable to different persons according to 

 their temperamental tendencies and educational bias ; but 

 no one, I think, can lay down this book without a convic- 

 tion of the great ability and transparent sincerity of its 

 author, of its pre-eminent value as a contribution to the 

 general literature of evolution, and of the weight of its 

 argument^ in defense of Natural Selection as a controlling 

 factor in organic development.* 



Evolution may be true, in the field of biology, it may 

 yet be said, but what of it ? Man may .be the descendant 

 of an anthropoid ape, "probably arboreal in its habits," 



*Xote should also lie made of Trof. Aujrelo lleil]irin's recently imlilished 

 liook on "The Iteniuida Islands," wliicli contains a carelul study ol the lor- 

 niation of coral reefs, contirniiiij;- Darwin's theories on this subject, whit'h 

 some recent writers have lirou^ht in iiuestion. The tendency of the most 

 recent studies has uniiuestionalily hecn to stren<ithen the hi;ih rcfiard in 

 which Darwin has hecn justly helil as a careful, conscientious investigator and 

 safe theorizer in the liolii of evt)lutionary research. 



