16 FOOT-NOTES TO EVOLUTION. 
not (it is like confessing a murder) immutable. Heaven 
forfend me from Lamarck nonsense of a tendency to 
‘progression,’ ‘adaptations from the slow willing of 
animals,’ etc. But the conclusions I am led to are not 
widely different from his, though the means of change 
are wholly so. I think I have found out (here’s pre- 
sumption!) the simple way by which species become 
exquisitely adapted to various ends.” 
In the preface to the Origin of Species, published in 
1859, he outlined his plan of work in the following 
words: 
“When on board H. M. S. Beagle as naturalist, I 
was much struck with certain facts in the distribution 
of the organic beings inhabiting South 
America, and in the geological relations 
of the present to the past inhabitants of 
the continent. These facts seem to throw some light 
on the origin of species, that mystery of mysteries, as it 
has been called by one of our greatest philosophers. 
On my return home it occurred to me (in 1837) that 
something might perhaps be made out on this question 
by patiently accumulating and reflecting on all sorts of 
facts which could possibly have any bearing on it. 
After five years I allowed myself to speculate on the 
subject, and drew up some short notes. These I en- 
larged in 1844 into a sketch of the conclusions which 
then seemed to me to be probable. From that period 
to the present day I have steadily pursued the same 
object. I hope that I may be excused for entering 
upon these personal details, as I give them to show 
that I have not been hasty in coming to a conclusion.” 
“Mother Nature,” says Huxley, “is singularly ob- 
durate to honeyed words. Only those who understand 
the ways of things, and can silently and effectively use 
them, get much good out of her.” 
Darwin’s 
method. 
