First Germ of the “Species Work” 351 
After pointing out how impossible it would be for a naturalist to 
prove that a newly discovered species was really newly created', Lyell 
argued that no satisfactory evidence of the way in which these new 
forms were created, had as yet been discovered, but that he enter- 
tained the hope of a possible solution of the problem being found in 
the study of the geological record. 
It is not difficult, in reading these chapters of Lyell’s great work, 
to realise what an effect they would have on the mind of Darwin, as 
new facts were collected and fresh observations concerning extinct 
and recent forms were made in his travels. We are not surprised 
to find him writing home, “I am become a zealous disciple of 
Mr Lyell’s views, as known in his admirable book. Geologising in 
South America, I am tempted to carry parts to a greater extent even 
than he does?.” 
Lyell’s anticipation that the study of the geological record might 
afford a clue to the discovery of how new species originate was 
remarkably fulfilled, within a few months, by Darwin’s discovery of 
fossil bones in the red Pampean mud. 
It is very true that, as Huxley remarked, Darwin’s knowledge of 
comparative anatomy must have been, at that time, slight; but that 
he recognised the remarkable resemblances between the extinct and 
existing mammals of South America is proved beyond all question 
by a passage in his letter to Henslow, written November 24th, 1832: 
“T have been very lucky with fossil bones; I have fragments of at 
least six distinct animals....1 found a large surface of osseous 
polygonal plates....Immediately I saw them I thought they must 
belong to an enormous armadillo, living species of which genus are 
so abundant here,” and he goes on to say that he has “the lower jaw 
of some large animal which, from the molar teeth, I should think 
belonged to the Edentata®.” 
Having found this important clue, Darwin followed it up with 
characteristic perseverance. In his quest for more fossil bones he 
was indefatigable. Mr Francis Darwin tells us, “I have often heard 
him speak of the despair with which he had to break off the projecting 
extremity of a huge, partly excavated bone, when the boat waiting 
for him would wait no longer*” Writing to Haeckel in 1864, Darwin 
says: “I shall never forget my astonishment when I dug out a gigantic 
piece of armour, like that of the living armadillo.” 
1 Mr F. Darwin has pointed out that his father (like Lyell) often used the term 
“creation” in speaking of the origin of new species (L. L. 1. chap. 1). 
2 L. L.1. p. 263. 
3M. L. 1. pp. 11,12. See Extracts of Letters addressed to Prof. Henslow by C. Darwin 
(1835), p. 7. 
4 ZL, L.1. p. 276 (footnote). 
5 Haeckel, History of Creation, Vol. 1. p. 134, London, 1876. 
