RESIDENCE AT NEATH 255 



external causes is a characteristic of ' species ' and not of mere 

 ' variety,' and thus, if the theory of the ' Vestiges ' is accepted, 

 the Negro, the Red Indian, and the European are distinct 

 species of the genus Homo. 



" An animal which differs from another by some decided 

 and permanent character, however slight, which difference is 

 undiminished by propagation and unchanged by climate and 

 external circumstances, is universally held to be a distinct 

 species; while one which is not regularly transmitted so as to 

 form a distinct race, but is occasionally reproduced from the 

 parent stock (like Albinoes), is generally, if the difference is 

 not very considerable, classed as a variety. But I would 

 class both these as distinct species, and I would only consider 

 those to be varieties whose differences are produced by external 

 causes, and which, therefore, are not propagated as distinct 

 races. ... As a further support to the ' Vestiges,' I have 

 heard that in his ' Cosmos ' the venerable Humboldt supports 

 its views in almost every particular, not excepting those relat- 

 ing to animal and vegetable life. This work I have a great 

 desire to read, but fear I shall not have an opportunity at 

 present. Read Lawrence's work; it is well worth it." 



This long quotation, containing some very crude ideas, 

 would not have been worth giving except for showing that at 

 this early period, only about four years after I had begun to 

 take any interest in natural history, I was already speculating 

 upon the origin of species, and taking note of everything 

 bearing upon it that came in my way. It also serves to show 

 the books I was reading about this time, as well as my appre- 

 ciation of the " Vestiges," a book which, in my opinion, has 

 always been undervalued, and which when it first appeared 

 was almost as much abused, and for very much the same 

 reasons, as was Darwin's " Origin of Species," fifteen years 

 later. 



In a letter dated April 11, 1846, there occur the following 

 remarks on two books about which there has been little differ- 

 ence of opinion, and whose authors I had at that time no 

 expectation of ever calling my friends. " I was much pleased 

 to find that you so well appreciated Lyell. I first read Dar- 



