40 
ANNALS NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
others, the fairness with which he acknowledged the value of their results, 
and his concluding passages, in which he indicated the important bearing 
that the theories of descent had upon the social problems of the day, render 
his address a fit conclusion of a distinct epoch in the history of American 
science. 
Since 1876, practically every zoological worker has sought to make 
some contribution that might strengthen his faith in a rational evolution of 
organic life and activities. It may be that such contributions will prove 
insufficient. It may be that Darwinism as a thing will ultimately fail of 
proof, but to those in the future who may inquire for the reason for these 
exercises and for the erection of this monument, Darwinism as a method 
will ever be a sufficient reply. 
