458 On Archccsthctum. [June, 



relation of the observed facts to the hypothesis is, however, shown 

 by the above papers to be so precise that it only needs observa- 

 tion on the production of similar changes by similar causes in 

 living types, to give us a demonstration by induction, which will 

 satisfy most minds. That such facts have been observed among 

 the lower animals is well known. The change of form of ani- 

 mals without hard parts, in adaptation to their environment, is an 



That these views are now shared by many naturalists is becom- 

 ing every day more evident. Professor E. Dubois Raymond 1 has 

 recently delivered a lecture before the physicians of the German 

 army, on exercise or use, in which he makes some important 

 admissions. We give the following extract : " We should be, 

 therefore, free to admit, with some appearance of reason, that the 

 vigor of the muscles of wings and of digging feet ; the thick 

 epidermis of the palm of the hand and of the sole of the foot ; 

 the callosities of the tail and of the ischia of some monkeys ; the 

 processes of bones for the insertion of muscles; are the conse- 



heredity." In this position Professor Raymond is in strict accord 

 with the Lamarkian school of evolutionists. But Professor Ray- 

 mond still clings to the obscurities of the Darwinians, though 

 Darwin himself is not responsible for them, in the following sen- 

 tences : " It is necessary to admit along with development by 

 use, development by natural selection, and that for three reasons. 

 First, there are innumerable adaptations— I cite only those known 

 as mimetic coloration— which appear to be only explicable by 

 natural selection, and not by use. Second, plants which are, in 

 their way, as well adapted to their environment as animals, are of 

 course incapable of activity. Thirdly, we need the doctrine of 

 natural selection to explain the origin of the capacity for exercise 

 itself. Unless we admit that which it is impossible to do from a 

 scientific standpoint, that designed structures have a mechanical 

 origin, it is necessary to conclude that in the struggle for existence 

 the victory has been secured by those living beings who in exer- 

 cising their natural functions have increased by chance (" par 

 hasard ") their capacity for these functions more than others, and 

 that the beings thus favored have transmitted their fortunate gifts 

 to be still further developed by their descendants." 



» Revue Science, Pari*, Jan. 28, 18S2. 



