352 



LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 



We submit that this mode of evolution of the giraffe 

 is quite as reasonable as the very hypothetical one 

 advanced by Mr. Wallace ; * i.e., that a variety oc- 

 curred with a longer neck than usual, and these " at 

 once secured a fresh range of pasture over the same 

 ground as their shorter-necked companions, and on 

 the first scarcity of food vi^ere thereby enabled to out- 

 live them." Mr. Wallace's account also of Lamarck's 

 general theory appears to us to be one-sided, inade- 

 quate, and misleading. He states it thus: "The 

 hypothesis of Lamarck — that progressive changes in 

 species have been produced by the attempts of animals 

 to increase the development of their own organs, 

 and thus modify their structure and habits." This is 

 a caricature of what Lamarck really taught. Wants, 

 needs {besoins), volitions, desires, are not mentioned 

 by Lamarck in his two fundamental laws (see p. 303), 

 and when the word besoins is introduced it refers as 

 much to the physiological needs as to the emo- 

 tions of the animal resulting from some new environ- 

 ment which forces it to adopt new habits such as 

 means of locomotion or of acquiring food. 



It will be evident to one who has read the original 

 or the foregoing translations of Lamarck's writings 

 that he does not refer so much to mental desires or 

 volitions as to those physiological wants or needs 

 thrust upon the animal by change of circumstances 

 or by competition ; and his besoins may include lust, 

 hunger, as well as the necessity of making muscular 

 exertions such as walking, running, leaping, climbing, 

 swimming, or flying. 



* Natural Selection^ pp. 41-42. 



