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PREFACE

THIS volume consists of a series of lectures delivered by the late Professor Marshall in connection with the Extension Lectures of the Victoria University during the year 1893. These have been amplified in some places where occasion required from other unpublished lectures by the same author.

Owing to the variable nature of the original MS., some parts being fully written, while others were in the form of notes, there is a consequent variability in the fulness of the text, and any errors or discrepancies should be attributed to the editor and not the author.

It is greatly to be regretted that these Lectures were not elaborated and prepared for publication by the author himself; but, in spite of the shortcomings of the book, I trust that it may form a useful contribution to the literature of Darwinism, since the Lectures were delivered by one of Darwin's most earnest disciples.

The large majority of the illustrations are taken from original drawings by the author, or from photographs from nature. Some of the drawings are modified from other sources, and in these cases the source has been acknowledged. The blocks for the illustrations have been prepared with great care by Messrs. Walker & Boutall.

In preparing this book I have received valuable assistance from Mr. W. E. Hoyle, Dr. C. H. Hurst, Professors Hickson and Herdman, and Mr. W. Garstang. I must also thank Mr. Francis Darwin for permission to reproduce the extracts in Lecture VIII.

LONDON, October 1894.

C. F. M.

CONTENTS

The Earlier Naturalists. Aristotle, 384-322, B.C. Slow accumulation
of facts.

Linnæus, 1707-1778. Introduction of the Binary System of nomen-

clature. Birth of the Species Question. Illustrations of the

meaning of the word, Species. Linnæus' views on the Origin of

Species.

Buffon, 1707-1788. Contemporary with Linnæus. The first to
suggest the possibility of the rise of species from one another by
slow modification. Want of critical power.

Cuvier, 1769-1832. The founder of comparative anatomy, and the

first to realise the true value of fossils: a man of commanding

power. Cuvier's doctrine of catastrophism, or of periodical

annihilation of animal life. A stout supporter of the immutability

of species.

Goethe, 1790. Essay on the Metamorphosis of Plants.

Lamarck, 1744-1829. A colleague of Cuvier. A strong upholder

of the doctrine of Evolution: denies the occurrence of Cuvier's

cataclysmal revolutions, and maintains the derivation of all

organisms from some few simple forms.

Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1771-1840. Like Lamarck a supporter of the
doctrine of Evolution. The great discussion in 1830; St. Hilaire
versus Cuvier: victory of Cuvier.

Hutton, 1726-1797. Theory of the Earth.

Lyell, 1797-1875. The rise of Geology. The doctrine of Uni-
formity. Publication of the "Principles of Geology," 1830-
1832. Refutation of Cuvier's doctrine of Cataclysms. Demon-
stration that as regards the crust of the earth, the causes
now in action, and the influences now at work are not merely

competent to produce the present condition of things, but must

inevitably have done so.

The Doctrine of Evolution: its gradual spread. Herbert Spencer's
article in the "Leader" 1852. Recognition of descent of species
from one another by modification, but inability to point out the
causes of such modification.

General sketch of the life and work of Darwin and Wallace.

Simultaneous announcement of the Theory of Natural Selection
at the meeting of the Linnean Society on July 1, 1858.

There are in nature causes which act in much the same way as man

acts, when selecting artificially the best animals for breeding

purposes; causes which must lead to structural modifications.

The tendency to rapid increase of numbers. Rapid multiplication
of rabbits in Australia.

The causes tending to keep the numbers stationary on the average.
Effect of removal of any check to increase.

The struggle for existence applies to all animals and at all times.
Competition is keenest between the most closely similar forms.
Competition amongst men.

Variation: its universal occurrence. Variation occurs in all direc-
tions, and affects all organs and parts. The importance of
small variations in the breeding of domestic animals.

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