Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-02

ms was wandering from it's regular track.
In 1S45 the English astronomer, John
Couch Adams. surmised that TINS lrresu-
larity of movement was caused by some
hitherto undiscovered planet He inquired
out the latter's probable position and size,
but search for the mischief maker was NOT
at once made In England
In the same year, however, the Frencn
astronomer, Jean Joseph Leverrler. De-
came interested in the troubles OF Uranus,
and came to the same conclusion as
Adams-that is. that the irreguiarities
could be caused only by outside interfer-
ence.
He communicated his theory and GUAM
tity Of data relative to the position OF the
supposed planet to Gale of the Berlin OBJ
servatory, who proceeded TO make u thoT-
ough search of the heavens.
September 3d. 1916, he announced that
he had discovered the mysterious planet.
But before he could tell England Of
what he had found astronomers there
had also begun thorough search.
August 4. August IL and September
% Challis Of the Cambridge observa-
tory discovered the new planet In three
different positions. but owing to delay
in getting it mapped the announcement
of his discovery was anticipated by :he
arrival in England October i, 1876, or
the news from Berlin.
Neptune, by the way. had already
been observed as early as 1873 by La
lande, but astronomers were under the
impression that 1t was fixed star. not
planet.
Darwin has generally been credited
with the glory involved in the discor..
cry and working out of the doctrine or
evolution of species.
Yet a review of the facts of the case
cast considerable doubt on the justice
of this monopoly and suggest that at
least q part of the credit should go TO
Alfred Russell Wallace, another British
investigator.
Wallace had theories on the subject
of evolution as early as 1916. which he
embodied in somewhat vague form
in an essay published in 1855.
Then came Nautilus. with his famous
essay on Population"
This went more deeply into the sub
ject than anything that had preceded
it, and inspired both Darwin and Wal
lace to a still closer consideration OF
the subject.
Wallace then produced his essay ''on
the Tendency of Varieties to Depart
Indefinitely From the Original Type
Darwin at the same time produced MS
first great essay on the subject, and the
two were published together in the
proceedings of the L:nnean Society of
London" for August. 1853. Wallace In
his essay, covered ground similar to that
of Darwin, but the latter alone used the
term natural selection ="
Here. apparently, was the basis for ac-
rimonieus controversy but wallace
proved to be too high minded and too
good a friend of Darwin to enter into 1t.
He not only refrained from claiming any
credit for the famous doctrine. but con-
tinued to maintain relations of excellent
friendship with his more celebrated col
league.
The above are among the more striking
instances of simultaneous discovery.
They are by no means all. When Benja-
min Franklin was experimenting with his
kite. in order to learn about atmospheric
electricity, there was an investigator In
Europe busy along similar lines.
A mere recent instance is that or the
first application of anesthetics to relieve
human satfe ing the credit for which
seems to be divided between American
and British PHYSICIANS
There are some who dispute the claim
made for Ericsson that he invented the
monitor type of battleship. and the ar
olives of the courts are filled with such
cases.
Those who grew skeptical because Cook
and PSary arrived almost together should
examine into the presidents.
There is nothing at all In this one fact
to discredit either man.