ORDINARY MEETING.* 

 The Rev. Canon Girdlestoxe, M.A., in the Chair. 



The Minutes of tlie last Meeting were read and confirmed, and tlie 

 following election took place : — 



Associate : — Miss Eva J. Boord. 



The following paper was read by the author : — 



ADAPTATION AND SELECTION IN NATURE: 

 THEIR BEARING ON DESIGN. By Walter 

 KiDD, M.D., F.Z.S. 



IT is a singular fate that befell the theory of evolution 

 that its main terms have been not only ambiguous, but 

 even incorrect, but it is probable that this has conduced 

 greatly to its wide acceptance. We know well how the 

 mind of man is captivated by a form of words or even an 

 expression, and for good or ill, the leaders of mankind have 

 known how to use this fact of human nature. 



I refer to the four outstanding terms or conceptual 

 formulae inscribed on the banner of the evolutionist host, 

 viz. : — 



1. Origin of Species. 



2. Struggle for Existence. 



3. Natural Selection. 



4. Survival of the Fittest. 



3 and 4 being practically equivalent. 



1. If Darwin had named his great work more modestly 

 " Modification or Transformation of Species,", how different 



* Monday, March 17th 



