Uving issues and the younger generation regards it as an 

 interesting episode in the history of science. 



With reference to Darwinism we are in the third stage 

 which is characterized especially by the indifference of the 

 present middle-aged generation and by growing opposition 

 on the part of the younger coming generation. This very 

 characteristic feature is brought into prominence by the 

 discussion of Goette. If all signs, however, are not decep- 

 tive, this third stage, that of decay, is drawing to an end; 

 soon we shall enter the final stage and with that the tragic- 

 comedy of Darwinism will be brought to a close. 



If some one were to ask me how according to the 

 count of years, I should determine the extent of the indi- 

 vidual stages of Darwinism, this would be my answer: 



1. The incipient stage extends from 1859 (the year 

 during which Darwin's principal work, The Origin of 

 Species, appeared) to the end of the sixties. 



2. The stage of growth: from that time, for about 

 20 years, to the end of the eighties. 



3. The stage of decay: from that time on to about 

 the year 1900. 



4. The final stage: the first decade of the new cen- 

 tury. 



I am not by choice a prophet, least of all regarding 

 the weather. But I think it may not be doubted that 

 the fine weather, at least, has passed for Darwinism. So 

 having carefully scanned the firmament of science for sig^s 

 of the weather, I shall for once make a forecast for Dar- 



47 



