CONTENTS 



LECTURE I. (Pp. 1-24.) 



HISTORY OF THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION. 



The Earlier Naturalists. Aristotle, 384 — 322, b.c. Slow accumulation 

 of facts. 



Linn&us, 1707 — 1778. Introduction of the Binary System of nomen- 

 clature. Birth of the Species Question. Illustrations of the 

 meaning of the word, Species. Linnaus' views on the Origin of 

 Species. 



Buffon, 1707 — 1788. Contemporary with Linnasus. The first to 

 suggest the possibility of the rise of species from one another by 

 slow modification. Want of critical power. 



Cuvier, 1769 — 1832. The founder of comparative anatomy, and the 

 first to realise the true value of fossils : a man of commanding 

 power. Cuvier's doctrine of catastrophism, or of periodical 

 annihilation of animal life. A stout supporter of the immutability 

 of species. 



Goethe, 1790. Essay on the Metamorphosis of Plants. 



Lamarck, 1744 — 1829. A colleague of Cuvier. A strong upholder 

 of the doctrine of Evolution : denies the occurrence of Cuvier's 

 cataclysmal revolutions, and maintains the derivation of all 

 organisms from some few simple forms. 



Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1771 — 1840. Like Lamarck a supporter of the 

 doctrine of Evolution. The great discussion in 1830 ; St. Hilaire 

 versus Cuvier : victory of Cuvier. 



Hutton, 1726 — 1797. Theory of the Earth. 



Lyell, 1797 — 1875. The rise of Geology. The doctrine of Uni- 

 formity. Publication of the " Principles of Geology," 1830 — 

 1832. Refutation of Cuvier's doctrine of Cataclysms. Demon- 

 stration that as regards the crust of the earth, the causes 

 now in action, and the influences now at work are not merely 



