VARIATIONS, DUB TO REVERSION. 75 



he, then, adduce variations as the data for his theory ? 

 He essayed to solve the problem of indefinitely con- 

 tinued development, by means of variations. Varia- 

 tions are then shown to be incapable of sustaining his 

 theory; because, being but the regain of what was 

 once lost, they have a limit ; and proof of a limit to 

 the improvements, constitutes complete disproof of his 

 theory. But, with a coolness most unique, he 'rejoins, 

 To explain the variations by means of Reversion is 

 only pushing the difficulty further back ; for, they 

 need to be explained, when they appeared for the first 

 time, and effected the development of the different 

 species ; Whereas, this assumption, of his, viz., that 

 the characters did arise originally, as variations, and 

 did thereby effect the development of the different 

 species, is the very point in controversy, and which he 

 started out to prove. 



What puzzles him, and so " obscures " the subject of 

 the cause of variations, is, that he feels logic prodding 

 him to know, Why, if reversion is " only pushing the 

 difficulty further back in time," he does, not meet the 

 issue at that point further back in time, and there grap- 

 ple with his problem ; and, What business, or concern, 

 has he with the improvements or variations under do- 

 mestication, or with those variations, under nature, 

 which occur at a period subsequent to the great degen- 

 eration he has shown, when, by his own confession, the 

 issue does not hinge where he essays to meet it, but 

 rests at a point, in the past, respecting which, not a 

 syllable of evidence, or even a word of mention, is 

 adduced by him throughout all of his works. 



