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of favourable birth variations ; and also a selection of the 
best of those variations which have been brought about by 
transforming influences ; and also a modification due to 
transforming, apart from selective influences. 
Yet, in spite of these considerations, the most prominent 
writers on the subject have used the arguments for Organic 
Evolution as arguments for Natural Selection. In dealing 
with this remarkable fact, it is important to realise at the 
outset that the evidences for Organic Evolution as a 
process are the common property of all believers in that 
doctrine. A very remarkable illustration of this assertion 
may be given. As I write this, it is now (October, 1894) 
just fifty years ago since Mr. Robert Chambers published 
his work, Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation. 
In 1881 an article by Mr. Romanes appeared in The Fort 
nightly Review,* subsequently reprinted under the title of 
“ The Scientific Evidences of Organic Evolution ” ; and it 
is interesting to observe what a close resemblance there is 
between these two writers, one of whom had never heard 
of the theory of Natural Selection, while the other was to 
the day of his lamented death one of its principal and 
most gifted exponents. 
Mr. Romanes, under the heading of “The Argument from 
Classification,” points out that classification has been based 
upon organic affinities, and then proceeds to say :— 
“ Now in such a classification it is found impossible to place all the 
species in a linear series, according to the grade of their organization. 
(ft. 17.) Our system of classification may be likened to a tree, in which 
a short trunk may be taken to represent the lowest organisms. This 
short trunk soon separates into two large trunks, one of which repre 
sents the vegetable and the other the animal kingdom. Each of 
these trunks then gives off large branches, and these give off smaller 
but more numerous branches which ramify again, (p. 18.) This tree 
like system is as clear an expression as anything could be of the fact 
vol. xxx., new series, pp. 73(7-738.