178 Luck, or Cunning ? 
manner as the acknowledged varieties of any one species 
are the descendants of that species. Furthermore, I am 
convinced that natural selection’’ (or the preservation 
of fortunate races) ‘‘ has been the main but not exclusive 
means of modification ’’ (p. 6). 
It is not here expressly stated that the theory of the 
mutability of species is Mr. Darwin’s own ; this, neverthe- 
less, is the inference which the great majority of his readers 
were likely to draw, and did draw, from Mr. Darwin’s 
words. 
Again :— 
“Tt is not that all large genera are now varying much, 
and are thus increasing in the number of their species, or 
that no small genera are now multiplying and increasing ; 
for if this had been so it would have been fatal to my 
theory ; inasmuch as geology,” &c. (p. 56). 
The words “‘ my theory ” stand in all the editions. 
_Again :— 
“This relation has a clear meaning on my view of the 
subject ; I look upon all the species of any genus as having 
as certainly descended from the same progenitor, as have 
the two sexes of any one of the species ” (p. 157). 
“My view ”’ here, especially in the absence of reference 
to any other writer as having held the same opinion, implies 
as its most natural interpretation that descent pure and 
simple is Mr. Darwin’s view. Substitute ‘ the theory of 
descent” for “‘ my view,” and we do not feel that we are 
misinterpreting the author’s meaning. The words ‘“‘ my 
view ’’ remain in all editions. . 
Again :— 
“Long before having arrived at this part of my work, a 
crowd of difficulties will have occurred to the reader. Some 
of them are so grave that to this day I can never reflect 
on them without being staggered ; but to the best of my 
belief the greater number are only apparent, and those that 
are real are not, I think, fatal to my theory. 
