465
defines what Natural Selection is; and assuming that
Natural Selection is a sufficient explanation of all the
phenomena, he invokes the law of parsimony, and declares
that it is unnecessary to seek for any other cause. He
asserts that the choice lies between Natural Selection and
sudden creation, thereby ignoring the fact that, according
to Mixed Darwinism, Organic Evolution may result from
transforming influences only, from Natural Selection only,
or from a combination of both. In a digest of The Origin
of Species we should have expected to find some arguments
urged for Natural Selection as the method by which
Organic Evolution has been brought about. It is interest
ing to note how Mr. Romanes meets this just expectation.
In the first form in which this essay appeared Mr. Romanes
says :—
“ But now it may properly be asked what is your evidence in
favour of Natural Selection ? Well, the evidence in favour of
Natural Selection as a cause is simply the evidence in favour of
Organic Evolution as an effect.”—(p. 742.)
This is omitted in the republished essay, but in the latter
he says :—
“ If once the fact of Organic Evolution were established, no one
would dispute that much of the adaptation was probably effected by
Natural Selection. How much we cannot say—probably never shall
be able to say ; for even Mr. Darwin himself does not doubt that
other causes besides that of Natural Selection have assisted in the
modifying of specific types. For the sake of simplicity, however, I
shall not go into the subject, but shall always speak of Natural
Selection as the only cause of Organic Evolution. Let us then weigh
the evidence in favour of Organic Evolution.”—{pp. 13-14.)
There is here no statement of the arguments in favour
of the distinctive teachings of Mr. Darwin. But while
the theory is explained, the objections to it are either
ignored or treated as the mere results of ignorance. It is
assumed without proof that -Natural Selection is the
method whereby the process of Organic Evolution has been
DD
