LECTURE VI 



OBJECTIONS TO THE DARWINIAN THEORY 



The best possible mode of testing a theory is to 

 consider the objections which have been raised 

 against it. It is impossible for us to deal here with 

 all the objections which have been put forward, 

 but I propose to select those which appear the most 

 important — i.e., those which have been urged with 

 the greatest force and persistency by men specially 

 competent to deal with the subject. It is interesting 

 to note that, in spite of the fierce storm of criticism 

 to which the theory has been exposed, and the 

 considerable amount of literature written on the 

 subject — no small number of books having been 

 written for the express purpose of "smashing 

 Darwin " — yet nowhere are the objections and 

 difficulties more clearly stated than by Darwin 

 himself. Very few of any real importance have been 

 added to the list given by Darwin, while he himself 

 has indicated others that had escaped the notice of 

 his opponents. 



It seems strange to have to claim credit for 

 candour ; yet candour so striking as Darwin's 

 does demand special and cordial recognition. 

 Whether he was right or wrong in his conclusions, 



