DARWINISM AND MALTHUS. 225 
philosophical biology ; and its main principles remained with me 
as a permanent possession and twenty years later gave me the long 
sought clue to the effective agent in the evolution of organic 
species.” 
Referring to the same period on p. 240, after mentioning his 
making the acquaintance of Mr. Bates, the eminent traveller 
and naturalist, Dr. Wallace writes :-— 
“the other equally important circumstance was my reading Malthus, 
without which work I should probably not have hit upon the theory 
of natural selection, and obtained full credit for its independent 
discovery.” 
Later on, beginning at p. 361, Dr. Wallace in a passage too 
long for quotation, gives a most interesting account of the full 
development of his theory, relating the whole process of the 
flowering of the living seed that had been for years verminating 
in his mind. The entire passage is well worthy of perusal; 
for it exhibits the birth of a great thought in a great mind, the 
birth of a living truth destined to enrich humanity. It begins 
thus, “one day something brought to my recoilection Malthus’s 
Principles of Pupulation.” It ends with these words, “ I wrote 
it (the theory of natural selection) out carefully in order to 
send it to Darwin.” 
It is strange that with this ample acknowledgment of their 
obligations to Malthus, obligations which are evident to anyone 
acquaiuted with the works of these great philosophers, it is 
strange that the name of the first should be almost ignored, 
although he was the originatur of ail that followed. The other 
two have fully confessed him as their fountain of thought and 
suggestion. And it is not only by the general public but also 
by really learned and scientific men in the numerous letiers, 
addresses, articles, and speeches which have illustrated the 
Darwin centenary that the name and work of Malthus have 
been almost entirely ignored. 
It is'a good thing to take a part however humble in the 
cause of justice; to make an effort however feeble to give 
honour where honour is due. And such an effort would, it is 
to be believed, have the sympathy and approval of such men as 
Darwin and Wallace. 
There are other reasons too which make the consideration 
of the debt rightfully due to Malthus of interest and import- 
ance apart from the sentiments of abstract and _ poetic 
justice. 
