CHAPTER VI. 



In every disease, especially in a lingering one, there 

 are times when life's flickering embers glow with an un- 

 natural brightness. Hence, it would not be at all surpris- 

 ing if a similar phenomenon were to be observed in the 

 case of dying Darwinism; for it cannot be doubted that its 

 disease is chronic. It has, in fact, been dying this long 

 time. Certain indications render it very probable that we 

 are at present witnessing such a phenomenon, for to-day 

 we behold once more a few naturalists stepping before the 

 public in defense of Darwinism. We are desirous of pre- 

 senting the present status of the Darwinian theory as ob- 

 jectively as possible, hence, since we have hitherto heard 

 exclusively anti-Darwinian testimonies — as the nature of 

 the case demanded — we shall now lend our attention to a 

 Darwinian. The reader maj' then decide for himself 

 whether this treatise should not still bear the title, "At 

 the Death-bed of Darwinism." 



The naturalist in question is the zoologist. Professor 

 F. von Wagner. In the "Umschau" (No. 2, 1900) he pub- 

 lished an article, "Regarding the Present Status of Dar- 

 winism," which is highly instructive and important in 

 more respects than one. 



We wish, in the first place, to call special attention to 

 the following statements embodied in the article: "It is 



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