Part 1

Transcriber’s Note: Sidenotes are shown enclosed in square brackets, above the paragraphs to which they apply. Italic text is enclosed in _underscores_.

DARWINISM

STATED BY DARWIN HIMSELF.

_CHARACTERISTIC PASSAGES FROM THE WRITINGS OF CHARLES DARWIN._

SELECTED AND ARRANGED

BY NATHAN SHEPPARD,

AUTHOR OF “SHUT UP IN PARIS,” EDITOR OF “THE DICKENS READER,” “CHARACTER READINGS FROM GEORGE ELIOT,” AND “GEORGE ELIOT’S ESSAYS.”

“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, while this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.”--_The Origin of Species_, page 429.

NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 1, 3, AND 5 BOND STREET.

1884.

COPYRIGHT, 1884, BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY.

PREFACE.

While these selections can not but be useful to those who are perfectly familiar with the writings of Darwin, they are designed especially for those who know little, or nothing, about his line of research and argument, and yet would like to obtain a general idea of it in a form which shall be at once authentic, brief, and inexpensive.

This volume contains, of course, only an outline of the contents of the twelve volumes from which it is compiled, and for which it is by no means intended as a substitute. It will, on the contrary, we should hope, create an appetite which can be satisfied only by a careful reading of the works themselves.

Darwin’s repetitions, necessitated by his method of investigation and publication, and his unexampled candor in controversy, have been something of an embarrassment in the classification of these passages; so that we have been obliged in some instances to sacrifice continuity to perspicuity. But, as one object of this book is to correct misrepresentations by giving Darwin’s views in his own language, some of his own repetitions must be given also, in order to leave no doubt as to precisely what he said and did not say. It will probably be a long while before the dispute over the theory that he advocated will cease, but there is certainly no excuse for a difference of opinion with regard to the language that he used, and the meaning he attached to it. That language and that meaning will be found in these pages. Darwinism stated by its opponents is one thing, Darwinism stated by Darwin himself will be found to be quite another thing, for, to use his own exclamation, “great is the power of steady misrepresentation!”

The order followed in the arrangement of these extracts is not that of the books, but the one naturally suggested by our plan, which is designed to conduct the reader through the vegetable up to the animal kingdom, and up from the lowest to the highest animal, man, “the wonder and glory of the universe.”

The references are to the American edition of Darwin’s works published by D. Appleton & Co., New York.

It is no part of our purpose to discuss the theory expounded here, but we can not refrain from joining in the general expression of admiration for its illustrious expounder. Lord Derby says, “He was one of half a dozen men of this century who will be remembered a century hence”; and yet his friends were “more impressed with the dignified simplicity of his nature than by the great work he had done.” Professor Huxley compares him to Socrates in wisdom and humility; and there could be no better authority than Mr. A. R. Wallace for the statement that “there are none to stand beside him as equals in the whole domain of science.” He has been extolled, since his death, by a host of religious leaders in press and pulpit (some of whose utterances will be found on another page), and we concur with them in the opinion that science never had a champion whose temper and behavior were more nearly in accord with the practical injunctions of the Christian religion. Whatever we or any one may think of Darwin’s scientific theories, no one can gainsay the value of his personal example, and few can be so prejudiced as to resist the fascination that will always be felt at the mention of his name.

NEW YORK, _February 1, 1884_.

INTRODUCTORY PASSAGES QUOTED BY DARWIN IN HIS “ORIGIN OF SPECIES.”

“But with regard to the material world, we can at least go so far as this--we can perceive that events are brought about not by insulated interpositions of divine power, exerted in each particular case, but by the establishment of general laws.”--WHEWELL: _Bridgewater Treatise_.

“The only distinct meaning of the word ‘natural’ is _stated_, _fixed_, or _settled_; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so, i. e., to effect it continually or at stated times, as what is supernatural or miraculous does to effect it for once.”--BUTLER: _Analogy of Revealed Religion_.

“To conclude, therefore, let no man out of a weak conceit of sobriety, or an ill-applied moderation, think or maintain, that a man can search too far or be too well studied in the book of God’s word, or in the book of God’s works; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavor an endless progress or proficience in both.”--BACON: _Advancement of Learning_.

DARWIN AND HIS THEORIES FROM A RELIGIOUS POINT OF VIEW.

“Surely in such a man lived that true charity which is the very essence of the true spirit of Christ.”--Canon PROTHERO.

“The moral lesson of his life is perhaps even more valuable than is the grand discovery which he has stamped on the world’s history.”--_The Observer_ (London).

“Darwin’s writings may be searched in vain for an irreverent or unbelieving word.”--_The Church Review._

“The doctrine of evolution with which Darwin’s name would always be associated lent itself at least as readily to the old promise of God as to more modern but less complete explanations of the universe.”--Canon BARRY.

“The fundamental doctrine of the theist is left precisely as it was. The belief in the great Creator and Ruler of the Universe is, as we have seen, confessed by the author of these doctrines. The grounds remain untouched of faith in the personal Deity who is in intimate relation with individual souls, who is their guide and helper in life, and who can be trusted in regard to the great hereafter.”--_The Church Quarterly Review._

“It appears impossible to overrate the gain we have won in the stupendous majesty of this (Darwin’s) idea of the Creator and creation.”--_Sunday-School Chronicle._

“It is certain that Mr. Darwin’s books contain a marvelous store of patiently accumulated and most interesting facts. Those facts seem to point in the direction of the belief that the Great Spirit of the Universe has wrought slowly and with infinite patience, through innumerable ages, rather than by abrupt intervention and by means of great catastrophes, in the production of the results, in the animate and inanimate world, which now offer to the student of nature boundless scope for observation and inquiry.”--_The Christian World._

“Let us see, in the funeral honors paid within these holy precincts to our greatest naturalist, a happy trophy of the reconciliation between faith and science.”--_The Guardian._

“That there is some truth in the theory of evolution, however, most scientists, including those of Christian faith, believe, and Mr. Darwin certainly has done much to make the facts plain; but no scientific principle established by him ever has undermined any truth of the Gospel.”--_The Congregationalist._

“Christian believers are found among the ranks of evolutionists without apparent prejudice to their faith. Professor Mivart, the zoölogist; Professor Asa Gray, the botanist; Professor Le Conte and Professor Winchell, the geologists, may be named as among these.”--_The Presbyterian._

“In all his simple and noble life Mr. Darwin was influenced by the profoundly religious conviction that nothing was beneath the earnest study of man which had been worthy of the mighty hand of God.”--Canon FARRAR.

“He has not one word to say against religion; ... by-and-by it may be seen that he has done much to put religious faith as well as scientific knowledge on a higher plane.”--_Independent._

“A celebrated author and divine has written to me that ‘he has gradually learned to see that it is just as noble a conception of the Deity to believe that he created a few original forms capable of self-development into other and needful forms, as to believe that he required a fresh act of creation to supply the voids caused by the action of his laws.’”--_Origin of Species_, page 422.

“I am at the head of a college where to declare against it [evolution] would perplex my best students. They would ask me which to give up, science or the Bible.... It is but the evolution of Genesis when each ‘brings forth after its kind.’ Science tells the same story. But what is the limit of the fixedness of the law? I believe that the evolution of new species is a question in science, and not of religion. It should be left to scientific men.”--President MCCOSH.

CONTENTS.

I. PAGE THE MOVEMENTS AND HABITS OF PLANTS.

The Movement of Plants in Relation to their Wants 2

The Power of Movement in Animal and Plant compared 4

Advantages of Cross-Fertilization 6

Potency of the Sexual Elements in Plants 6

Experiments in Crossing 8

The Struggle for Existence among Seeds 9

Practical Application of these Views 9

Marriages of First Cousins 11

Development of the Two Sexes in Plants 12

Why the Sexes have been reseparated 14

Comparative Fertility of Male and Female Plants 15

Effect of Climate on Reproduction 16

Causes of Sterility among Plants 17

An “Ideal Type” or Inevitable Modification 18

Special Adaptations to a Changing Purpose 19

An Illustration 21

As interesting on the Theory of Development as on that of Direct Interposition 22

The Sleep of the Plants 24

Self-Protection during Sleep 25

Influence of Light upon Plants 28

Influence of Gravitation upon Plants 29

The Power of Digestion in Plants 31

Diverse Means by which Plants gain their Subsistence 34

How a Plant preys upon Animals 35

II.

THE PART PLAYED BY WORMS IN THE HISTORY OF THIS PLANET.

They preserve Valuable Ruins 42

They prepare the Ground for Seed 43

Intelligence of Worms 45

III.

THE LAWS OF VARIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO ANIMALS AND PLANTS.

Inherited Effect of Changed Habits 48

Effects of the Use and Disuse of Parts 50

Vague Origin of our Domestic Animals 52

Descent of the Domestic Pigeon 53

Origin of the Dog 55

Origin of the Horse 57

Causes of Modifications in the Horse 58

“Making the Works of God a mere Mockery” 59

Variability of Cultivated Plants 61

Savage Wisdom in the Cultivation of Plants 62

Unknown Laws of Inheritance 64

Laws of Inheritance that are fairly well established 66

Inherited Peculiarities in Man 67

Inherited Diseases 68

Causes of Non-Inheritance 69

Steps by which Domestic Races have been produced 71

Unconscious Selection 73

Adaptation of Animals to the Fancies of Man 74

Doubtful Species 75

Species an Arbitrary Term 77

The True Plan of Creation 79

IV.

THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE.

Death inevitable in the Fight for Life 82

“Inexplicable on the Theory of Creation” 84

Obscure Checks to Increase 85

Climate as a Check to Increase 86

Influence of Insects in the Struggle for Existence 88

No such Thing as Change in the Result of the Struggle 90

V.

NATURAL SELECTION; OR, THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

An Invented Hypothesis 93

How far the Theory may be extended 94

Is there any Limit to what Selection can effect? 96

Has Organization advanced? 97

A Higher Workmanship than Man’s 99

Why Habits and Structure are not in Agreement 102

No Modification in one Species designed for the Good of Another 103

Illustrations of the Action of Natural Selection 106

Divergence of Character 108

Evolution of the Human Eye 110

VI.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANIC BEINGS.

Isolated Continents never were united 115

Means of Dispersal 116

These Means of Transport not accidental 118

Dispersal during the Glacial Period 119

The Theory of Creation inadequate 122

Causes of a Glacial Climate 123

Difficulties not yet removed 124

Identity of the Species of Islands with those of the Mainland explained only by this Theory 125

VII.

EVIDENCE OF THE DESCENT OF MAN FROM SOME LOWER FORM.

Points of Correspondence between Man and the other Animals 129

The facts of Embryology and the Theory of Development 131

Two Principles that explain the Facts 134

Embryology against Abrupt Changes 135

Rudimentary Organs only to be explained on the Theory of Development 137

“No other Explanation has ever been given” 139

Unity of Type explained by Relationship 140

Inexplicable on the Ordinary View of Creation 142

Descent with Modification the only Explanation 143

The History of Life on the Theory of Descent with Modification 144

Letters retained in the Spelling but Useless in Pronunciation 146

Man’s Deficiency in Tail 147

Points of Resemblance between Man and Monkey 149

Variability of Man 152

Causes of Variability in Domesticated Man 153

Action of Changed Conditions 155

The Inherited Effects of the Increased and Diminished Use of Parts 156

Reversion as a Factor in the Development of Man 158

Reversion in the Human Family 160

Prepotence in the Transmission of Character 162

Natural Selection in the Development of Man 163

How Man became upright 165

The Brain enlarges as the Mental Faculties develop 167

Nakedness of the Skin 169

Is Man the most helpless of the Animals? 171

VIII.

MENTAL POWERS OF MAN AND THE LOWER ANIMALS COMPARED.

Fundamental Intuitions the same in Man and the other Animals 175

Man and the Lower Animals excited by the same Emotions 177

All Animals possess some Power of Reasoning 179

The Power of Association in Dog and Savage 181

The Lower Animals progress in Intelligence 182

The Power of Abstraction 183

The Evolution of Language 185

Development of Languages and Species compared 188

The Sense of Beauty 191

Development of the Ear for Music 192

IX.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MORAL SENSE.

From the Social Instincts to the Moral Sense 195

Human Sympathy among Animals 197

The Love of Approbation 199

Fellow-Feeling for our Fellow-Animals 200

Development of the Golden Rule 201

Regret peculiar to Man, and why 202

Remorse explained 204

Development of Self-Control 205

Variability of Conscience 207

Progress not an Invariable Rule 209

All Civilized Nations are the Descendants of Barbarians 210

“The Ennobling Belief in God” 213

X.

THE GENEALOGY OF MAN.

Man a Sub-Order 218

The Birthplace of Man 221

Origin of the Vertebrata 224

From no Bone to Backbone 226

Does Mankind consist of Several Species? 228

The Races graduate into each other 229

Was the First Man a Speaking Animal? 231

The Theory of a Single Pair 231

Civilized out of Existence 233

XI.

SEXUAL SELECTION AS AN AGENCY TO ACCOUNT FOR THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RACES OF MAN.

Struggle of the Males for the Possession of the Females 236

Courtship among the Lower Animals 237

Why the Male plays the more Active Part in Courting 239

Transmission of Sexual Characteristics 240

An Objection answered 242

Difference between the Sexes created by Sexual Selection 243

How Woman could be made to reach the Standard of Man 246

“Characteristic Selfishness of Man” 247

No Universal Standard of Beauty among Mankind 248

Development of the Beard 249

Development of the Marriage-Tie 250

Unnatural Selection in Marriage 252

Modifying Influences in Both Sexes 254

“Grounds that will never be shaken” 256

XII.

THE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS IN MAN AND OTHER ANIMALS.

The Principle of Associated Habit 258

The Principle of Antithesis 261

Origin of the Principle of Antithesis 263

The Principle of the Action of the Excited Nervous System on the Body 265

XIII.

MEANS OF THE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS.

Vocal Organs 268

Erection of the Hair 269

Erection of the Ears 270

A Startled Horse 271

Monkey-Shines 271

Weeping of Man and Brute 272

The Grief-Muscles 275

Voluntary Power over the Grief-Muscles 276

“Down in the Mouth” 278

Laughter 279

Expression of the Devout Emotions 282

Frowning 284

Pouting 285

Decision at the Mouth 287

Anger 287

Sneering 288

Disgust 289

Shrugging the Shoulders 290

Blushing 291

Blushing not necessarily an Expression of Guilt 293

Blushing accounted for 294

A New Argument for a Single Parent-Stock 296

XIV.

THE PROVISIONAL HYPOTHESIS OF PANGENESIS.

Functional Independence of the Units of the Body 299

Necessary Assumptions 302

Two Objections answered 305

Effect of Morbid Action 306

Transmission limited 307

XV.

OBJECTIONS TO THE THEORY OF DESCENT WITH MODIFICATION CONSIDERED.

Misrepresentations corrected 310

Lapse of Time and Extent of Area 311

Why the Higher Forms have not supplanted the Lower 313

The Amount of Life must have a Limit 316

The Broken Branches of the Tree of Life 317

Why we do not find Transitional Forms 319

How could the Transitional Form have subsisted? 322

Why Nature takes no Sudden Leaps 323

Imperfect Contrivances of Nature accounted for 324

Instincts as a Difficulty 325

Some Instincts acquired and some lost 327

Innumerable Links necessarily lost 329

Plenty of Time for the Necessary Gradations 331

Wide Intervals of Time between the Geological Formations 334

Sudden Appearance of Groups of Allied Species 336