236 CROSSING AND CLOSE-INTERBREEDING. 



the effects. The reason alleged, is founded on the 

 observed results of breeding, as detailed by Darwin ; 

 is in the strictest accordance with every variation in 

 the results ; is a reason, not merely deduced from the 

 law of reversion, but supported and confirmed by 

 daily experience ; and is the only reason, or explana- 

 tion, which covers all of the phenomena. 



To Darwin, the good, resulting from crossing, is as 

 insoluble, as are the phenomena of close-interbreed- 

 ing; or (to use a simile of his own, respecting the 

 cause of variations), as insoluble as the problem "of 

 free will and predestination." The phenomena of 

 crossing, are also, by him, relegated to the mysterious 

 operation of the same "great law of nature,'' to which 

 he refers the phenomena of close-interbreeding. Con- 

 troversialists, speculating upon the problem of free- 

 will and predestination, might acquire from Darwin, 

 light to guide them through their theological mazes. 

 If he, Darwin, may, within the realm of nature, re- 

 solve a body of conflicting phenomena, by ascribing 

 them to "a great law of nature;" may not a theologian, 

 with equal (aye, immeasurably greater), propriety, 

 resolve his transcendental difficulties, by ascribing all 

 the points for which he contends, in the controversy 

 respecting Free will, to "a great supernatural law!!" 



He says (p: 213, Vol. ii, Animals and Plants, &c): 



" Abundant evidence has been given, that crossing 

 adds to the size, vigor, and fertility of the offspring. 

 This holds good, even when there has been no previ- 

 ous close-interbreeding. It applies to individuals, of 

 the same variety, but belonging to different families, 



