1909] GOOD ALE— DARWIN AND THE NATURAL SCIENCES, xxiii 



It must be unequivocally stated that from the time of Linnaeus 

 down, variation and varieties have been recognized within the limits 

 of species, but they had usually been regarded as so unimportant 

 that they were practically ignored. They were considered by Lin- 

 naeus playthings and profit-makers for horticulturists and nothing 

 more. 



The students of plant-breeding and animal-breeding in studying 

 variation have rightly introduced some modifications of the original 

 idea suggested by Darwin, and hence we have all sorts of new names 

 for the different phases, such as Mendelism, Neo-Lamarckism, 

 Neo-Darwinism, Weissmannism and the like. Verily, it does seem 

 as if the strength of an article of faith is known by the schisms 

 it keeps. 



Two especially good results have come about scientifically from 

 these studies of minute variations in biometry and eugenics. The 

 first is that many varieties are now recognized as species in the 

 making. Secondly, some of our acknowledged species are probably 

 groups of species. Perhaps this admission may lead to too great 

 a splitting up of established species. For instance, the species of 

 American hawthorn, formerly counted by a couple of scores at 

 most, are now counted by hundreds. But if the new so-called 

 species are merely races, that is, established varieties, they are at 

 least nascent species, and ought to have a place in the rcords. And 

 further, it is no longer a misdemeanor in science to break up a 

 species into its form-elements. 



And now, in bringing this sketch to a close, let us confess frankly 

 that the cause of variation, on which natural selection depends, is 

 not yet positively known. That is the most important and inviting 

 subject in biological science today. 



Besides the liberating influences of Darwin's work on species, 

 and its stimulating effect on all departments of biological inquiry, 

 there is still to be noted the influence of Darwin's personal example 

 of frankness, patience and magnanimity. It is good to remember 

 that he would never indulge in controversy regarding his views 

 relative to species. To be sure he had most valiant champions, who 

 rather enjoyed a free fight, but he did not himself waste his time 

 in discussion. He preferred to employ all of his scanty minutes 



