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main theory of evolution stands to-day where Darwin placed it

in 1858.


True many more ‘ bricks ’ have been made in the shape of

new facts brought to light, and new species discovered, but this

has proved such a fascinating pursuit and so easy of accomplish¬

ment that no architect has troubled to build up a new and more

solid edifice with these materials, but when they did not fit into

the existing building they have been either hammered into place

or left among the rubbish at the foot of the building to be covered

up with the dust of time.


The first sign of ‘ renaissance,’ if we may so term it, took

place in iqoo, when from this so-called rubbish, De Vries,

Correns, Tschermak and Bateson re-discovered Mendels’ Law ;

but although the effects of this discovery will have a wide and

far-reaching effect on the thought and trend of modern zoological

science, practical breeders will realise that it is but one of many

factors which go to make up the very complex but all important

laws of heredity.


Now, however, thanks to the several books commemora¬

tive of Darwin’s work, we can clearly see how far we have

progressed, and in what direction further advance must be made,

so that there is evety reason to hope that the next 50 years will

see a permanent and substantial increase in our knowledge of

Nature’s laws.


Dewar and Finn’s book on ‘ The Making of Species ’ is the

latest of the books called forth by the Darwin celebrations, and

although many may not entirely agree with its tenets, it must at

the same time give cause to think to all who read it with an open

mind. It deals with most of the generally accepted facts of

Darwinism and argues in simple, fair-minded and moderate

language the cases both for and against them. There is nothing

much that is new in the book, but, on the other hand, there is

much valuable information, and the facts have been marshalled

in such a manner that not only can the ‘ man in the street’ form

his own conclusions—not necessarily accep:ing those of the

authors—but the fair and open-minded biologist will be obliged

to concede that there is much force in many of the arguments,

even though he may not altogether agree with the deductions

drawn therefrom.



