There are several editions of this ebook in the Project Gutenberg collection.Various characteristics of each ebook are listed to aid in selecting thepreferred file.
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| 1228 | 1859, First Edition |
| 22764 | 1860, Second Edition |
| 2009 | 1872, Sixth Edition, considered the definitive edition. |
“But with regard to the material world, we can at least go so far asthis—we can perceive that events are brought about not by insulatedinterpositions of Divine power, exerted in each particular case, but by theestablishment of general laws.”
WHEWELL: Bridgewater Treatise.
“The only distinct meaning of the word ‘natural’ isstated, fixed or settled; since what is natural as muchrequires and presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so, i.e., toeffect it continually or at stated times, as what is supernatural or miraculousdoes to effect it for once.”
BUTLER: Analogy of Revealed Religion.
“To conclude, therefore, let no man out of a weak conceit of sobriety, oran ill-applied moderation, think or maintain, that a man can search too far orbe too well studied in the book of God’s word, or in the book ofGod’s works; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavour anendless progress or proficience in both.”
BACON: Advancement of Learning.
I will here give a brief sketch of the progress of opinion on the Origin ofSpecies. Until recently the great majority of naturalists believed that specieswere immutable productions, and had been separately created. This view has beenably maintained by many authors. Some few naturalists, on the other hand, havebelieved that species undergo modification, and that the existing forms of lifeare the descendants by true generation of pre existing forms. Passing overallusions to the subject in the classical writers,[1]the first author who in modern times has treated it in a scientific spirit wasBuffon. But as his opinions fluctuated greatly at different periods, and as hedoes not enter on the causes or means of the transformation of species, I neednot here enter on details.
[1] Aristotle, in his“Physicæ Auscultationes” (lib.2, cap.8, s.2), after remarking thatrain does not fall in order to make the corn grow, any more than it falls tospoil the farmer’s corn when threshed out of doors, applies the sameargument to organisation; and adds (as translated by Mr. Cla