Time and Life | Page 8

as it is with good reason
believed that turnspits and greyhounds, carrier and tumbler pigeons,
have arisen.
But there was a link wanting to complete the parallel. Where in nature
was the analogue of the breeder to be found? How could that operation
of selection, which is his essential function, be carried out by mere
natural agencies? Lamarck did not value this problem; neither did he
admit his impotence to solve it; but he guessed a solution. Now,
guessing in science is a very hazardous proceeding, and Lamarck's
reputation has suffered woefully for the absurdities into which his
baseless suppositions led him.
Lamarck's conjectures, equipped with a new hat and stick, as Sir Walter
Scott was wont to say of an old story renovated, formed the foundation
of the biological speculations of the 'Vestiges', a work which has done
more harm to the progress of sound thought on these matters than any
that could be named; and, indeed, I mention it here simply for the
purpose of denying that it has anything in common with what
essentially characterises Mr. Darwin's work.
The peculiar feature of the latter is, in fact, that it professes to tell us
what in nature takes the place of the breeder; what it is that favours the
development of one variety into which a species may run, and checks
that of another; and, finally, shows how this natural selection, as it is

termed, may be the physical cause of the production of species by
modification.
That which takes the place of the breeder and selector in nature is
Death. In a most remarkable chapter, 'On the Struggle for Existence',
Mr. Darwin draws attention to the marvellous destruction of life which
is constantly going on in nature. For every species of living thing, as
for man, "Eine Bresche ist ein jeder Tag."--Every species has its
enemies; every species has to compete with others for the necessaries
of existence; the weakest goes to the wall, and death is the penalty
inflicted on all laggards and stragglers. Every variety to which a species
may give rise is either worse or better adapted to surrounding
circumstances than its parent. If worse, it cannot maintain itself against
death, and speedily vanishes again. But if better adapted, it must,
sooner or later, "improve" its progenitor from the face of the earth, and
take its place. If circumstances change, the victor will be similarly
supplanted by its own progeny; and thus, by the operation of natural
causes, unlimited modification may in the lapse of long ages occur.
For an explanation of what I have here called vaguely "surrounding
circumstances," and of why they continually change--for ample proof
that the "struggle for existence" is a very great reality, and assuredly
'tends' to exert the influence ascribed to it--I must refer to Mr. Darwin's
book. I believe I have stated fairly the position upon which his whole
theory must stand or fall; and it is not my purpose to anticipate a full
review of his work. If it can be proved that the process of natural
selection, operating upon any species, can give rise to varieties of
species so different from one another that none of our tests will
distinguish them from true species, Mr. Darwin's hypothesis of the
origin of species will take its place among the established theories of
science, be its consequences whatever they may. If, on the other hand,
Mr. Darwin has erred, either in fact or in reasoning, his fellow-workers
will soon find out the weak points in his doctrines, and their extinction
by some nearer approximation to the truth will exemplify his own
principle of natural selection.
In either case the question is one to be settled only by the painstaking,
truth-loving investigation of skilled naturalists. It is the duty of the
general public to await the result in patience; and, above all things, to
discourage, as they would any other crimes, the attempt to enlist the

prejudices of the ignorant, or the uncharitableness of the bigoted, on
either side of the controversy.

End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Time and Life by Thomas H.
Huxley

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