PREFACE 
T the suggestion of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, the 
Syndics of the University Press decided in March, 1908, to 
arrange for the publication of a series of Essays in commemoration 
of the Centenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and of the Fiftieth 
anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species. The pre- 
liminary arrangements were made by a committee consisting of the 
following representatives of the Council of the Philosophical Society 
and of the Press Syndicate: Dr H. K. Anderson, Prof. Bateson, 
Mr Francis Darwin, Dr Hobson, Dr Marr, Prof. Sedgwick, Mr David 
Sharp, Mr Shipley, Prof. Sorley, Prof. Seward. In the course of the 
preparation of the volume, the original scheme and list of authors 
have been modified: a few of those invited to contribute essays were, 
for various reasons, unable to do so, and some alterations have been 
made in the titles of articles. For the selection of authors and for 
the choice of subjects, the committee are mainly responsible, but for 
such share of the work in the preparation of the volume as usually 
falls to the lot of an editor I accept full responsibility. 
Authors were asked to address themselves primarily to the 
educated layman rather than to the expert. It was hoped that the 
publication of the essays would serve the double purpose of illus- 
trating the far-reaching influence of Darwin's work on the progress of 
knowledge and the present attitude of original investigators and 
thinkers towards the views embodied in Darwin’s works. 
In regard to the interpretation of a passage in The Origin of 
Species quoted on page 71, it seemed advisable to add an editorial 
footnote; but, with this exception, I have not felt it necessary to 
record any opinion on views stated in the essays. 
