46 LAW OF VARIATIONS. 



causes at all, but merely the physical conditions of 

 variability ; and that they do not come under the cate- 

 gory of laws or causes, in that higher sense in which 

 the terms indicate a discovered method, under which 

 natural forces are observed to work. He avers also 

 that he would be " a bold man," who would esteem 

 these physical conditions as of any account, in induc- 

 ing variation, " in comparison with the nature or con- 

 stitution of the being which varies." 



The surprise, of the reader, however, at this neglect 

 by Darwin of such an important inquiry, would doubt- 

 less much abate, were he to scan closely Darwin's 

 facts, and have to confront him, a well known factor of 

 development, which, upon Darwin's own showing, and 

 own admission, fully explains every improvement 

 which arises ; but which, it was antecedently improba- 

 ble, should find favor in the sight of Darwin, because 

 that factor unequivocally negatives, and refutes Dar- 

 win's next, succeeding, and indispensable assumption, 

 viz., that these improvements go on forever, or indefi- 

 nitely. The discovery of this factor or law, might 

 suggest to the reader, that Darwin, in being so com- 

 placently content with his ignorance of any cause for 

 variation, was governed by the fear, that, if he evinced 

 any great solicitude to find a cause, the cause might be 

 only too ready in forthcoming, to the signal discom- 

 fiture both of himself and of his theory. 



Darwin's " innate tendency," is postulated, and the 

 ignorance, for which this " innate tendency " is confess- 

 edly the mere symbol, is assumed, in wanton deroga- 

 tion, and disregard, of a known, scientific law which 



