The morning call., 1892-06-26
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

THE DARwINIAN THEoRY-From the
material included in two courses Of lectures.
one on THE Philosophy of Natural His
tory" delivered before the students OF the
University of Edinburgh, and the other
given at the Royal Institution under the
title Of Before and After Darwin" Pro-
lessor Romanes has prepared treatise on
evolution which ranks with the chief scien-
tlic works OF the day. Owing to its bulk,
the author decided to publish 1t in three
parts. The second is the one now brought
cut. 1t is devoted TO the general theory OF
organic evolution as developed by
the researches of Darwin. The third
title OF POST Darwinian Problems"
The first section, which deals with the
purely historical side OF biological science,
will not be issued for some time. In the
volume now before the public Professor
ROmanes plunges at once into lucid eX-
PLANTATION and vigorous defense OF the
theory of natural selection In the prOpaga-
ton of species, and illustrates by many ex-
amples the evolution of animal life. lie
makes q sharp distinction between the evil
denee that evolution has occurred and
facts going to show the manner in which 1t
has taken place. He declares that either
all species Of plants and animals
must have been supernaturaly created or
else they must have been naturally evolved.
There is no third hypothesis possible, UNI
less one imagines that species have existed
eternally. This much being promised the
investigator does not concern himself with
the origin of life itself. He only cares to
consider the origin Of particular forms of
life-that is, of species. How life itself
came to be is something with which the
theory OF descent, as SUCH. has nothing TO
DO. 1t may surprise those who, not under
standing the Darwinian theory, have op-
posed it on religious grounds, to read this
frank admission from one Of its ablest advo-
Gates:
No doubt the question as to the origin Of life
is In Itself deeply interesting question, and
although In the opinion OF most biologists u is a
question which we may well hope VIII some day
fall within the range OF science 10 answer, at
present, il must be confessed, science is not in q
position TO furnish much as any suggestion
upon The subject; ana therefore our wisdom, as
men Of science, is frankly TO acknowledge that
such Is the cLse.
This is why such eminent Christians and
scientists as the late Louis Agassiz aud cur
own Joseph lie C0ntp, while holding firmly
to the truths of the Bible, have accepted and
by their labors added many links to the
Chain OF evidence supporting the theory of
evolution advanced by Darwin and elabo-
rated by many others, chief among whom
are Wallace aud Romanes. For the latter
arguments and the evidence presented to
sustain his case the reader is referred to the
book itself. Published by the Open Court
Publishing Company. Chicago.I
THE CENTURY MAGAZINE-The Gen.
tury Company has just issued bound
volume containing the numbers from No
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somely printed pages will impress itself
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WHEN MANS SINGLE-In Thrums
where the scenes of "A Window il
Thrums" were laid by J. ID. Barrie. he ha