New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-09
.WALLACE ON EVOLUTION.
DARwINISM WITHOUT MATERIALISM.

usI selection With some Of its Applications II,
Alfred Russell Wallace; ILL., D.. +. L. l. etc etc
With Map and Illustrations limo, PIP. XVI. Ava
Macmillan d Co.
In this volume Mr.. Wallace presents lucid and
closely connected survey of the theory of Natural
Selection first as originally propounded by Oar
win and next as tested by the observation, re-
search and analysis of thirty years Of scientific
progress No better exponent of Darwinism could
be found, for while Mr.. Wallace, as is well known,
independently worked out the theory which Oar
win by his fuller elaboration, obtained the credit
Tor the distinguished author of The Malay Archl-
pelago" has been Of the most magnanlmous
and loyal contributors TO the fame of his great
colleague. He has not at any time been servlle
follower Of Darwin; from the first he held dis
sentient views upon several minor points, nor has
the lapse of time produced any change In his con-
illusions on these questions In the present work
he develops his individual views, and at the same
time examines all the principal objections which,
since the appearance Of The Origin of Species
have been raised against Darwin's great hypothe-
sis.
Among the more important new contributions
10 the establishment of Natural Selection brought
forward by Mr.. Wallace is quantity Of evidence
regarding variations Of organisms IN state OF
nature II was objected that Darwin obtained tho
main evidence for his theory from observation OF
domesticated animals and cultivated plants and
IL was suggested that the processes by when
domestication and cultivation had been attained
perhaps, had great deal TO do with the produc-
ton Of the phenomena ascribed by Darwin 10
natural selection. Mr. Wallace meets ana as
poses of this objection by showing that the laws
which obtain in domestication are equally oper-
ntfve in a state Of nature. BY series OF diagrams
the extent and character of the variations in many
rlv md
larity and uniformity of the law is exhibited III
The arrangement of his subject Mr.. Wallace mas
certainly added to the cearnesS and force OF his
argument as whole by beginning with consldera-
,ion of the Struggle for Existence" which, as
ne Justly observes, is really the fundamch'aI
phenomenon on which natural selection depends,
while the particular facts which illustrate 1t are
comparatively familiar and Very Interesting
There is. indeed, nothing in the operations OF
nature at once so fascinating and perpeXlng as tins
struggle for existence. Mr. Wallace combatS the
view which sees in this incesSant conflict nature
red in tooth and claw with rapine," ana argues
ingeniously that the enormous destruction OF NE
which is constantly going on by no means heces-
tarily implies like amount of suffering
lie saws: Now there is. l think, good reason
to believe that all this is greatly eXaggelated'
that the supposed 'toments' and mlseres' OF
Election of the imagined sensations Of cultivated
men and women in similar circumstances, and that
the amount Of actual suffering caused by the strug
Gle for existence among animals is altogether III
significant Animals" n proceeds, Fare entirely
spared the pain we suffer in the anticipation OF
dcath-a pain far greater. in NEST cases, thah lhe
reality" This is an assertion equally Impossible
to prove or dsprove, like most of the assertions
about the feelings and faculties Of ANIMALS lhefe
is. however some evidence for the theory that
animals have-if not always. Sometlmes-a pre-
monition of death which causes them TO cXlhoit
much terror and uneaSine>S. How MI wallace
can believe that animals which have to be on the
watch continually against mortal foes can have
an almost perpetual enjoyment of their lives Is
hard to undcrstand Surely when they are fleeing
for their lives they cannot he enjoying themselves
greatly, and fight from many enemies forms a
great part of their activity and is in most cases
their sole recourse and dependence In the next
nlace he thinks that there is much evidence 10
show that violent Deaths if not too prolonged,
are painless and easy; and he argues from the
few instances known of the effect upon men Oh
seizure by one of the great carnivora, that prooa-
by in all such cases hypnotic effect is produced
upon the victim Even if We allow this DosslDiI%'
there are plenty of cases In which nature appears
70 have deliberately set out TO make the oeath
inflicted both painful and tedious lake III IL
lustration those parasites which are moeuueu
by their parents in the tissues of living organ
,sms and which. when Matched proceed TO con-
sumo the vitals of their involuntary hosts. lhere
;s here no ground for believing in any hypnotic
effect Int the inhiction of cruel suffering must
b. inferred.
The weakest point in Mr. Waace's position
however. is this: that he omits all reference to
the only evidence possess which has the force
of certainty namely, the experience OF mankind
Now we know beyond controversy that the
struggle for existence as 1t operates In the human
race does produce the most widespread, constant
and bitter suffering, that the survival OF the
fttest is accomplished in large proportion OF
instances through the slow yielding OF the weak
and unfit 10 the incidence OF torturlng diseases
that the process of ascent from anlmalSm 10
civilization has involved the slaughter OF millions
under every condition of pain and torment that
even in civilization considerable percentage is
doomed to an existence consisting Tar more OF
main than pleasure, that, in short, so far as our
nwn experience indicates. Nature never hesitates
IN infict either physical mental suffering and
IN no case shows any care regard for individual
life and but little, as Tennyson pointed out long
ago. for the type even. The optimism OF MI
Wallace is no doubt cheerful, but what tho
world demands from naturalistS is perfectly cahud
sad impartial presentation of facts, and from such
a presentation of facts it is not practicable 10
declare the sangpne differences here advanced
Whether the pain and suffering which appears
inseparable from organic life is means to
higher end than we can perceive, Is OF course
an important and deeply interesting question, but
il is not concerned here. All that we have to
do with in this discussion is the matter OF fact,
and we think il must be conceded that as regards
this Mr. Wallace's arguments are inconcluslve.
The final chapter, which deals with Darwlnlsm
rs applied 10 man, is a departure, or perhaps II
should be said an extension, of Darwins theory
Here Mr. Wallace parts company with the ma