The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection; or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life

Abstract

FEW are the writers, scientific or otherwise, who ca afford, in every successive edition of their works, to place side by side the passages which they have seen reason to alter, from a change of view or any other cause. And yet to this point we find especial attention called in each succeeding edition of Mr. Darwin's “Origin of Species.” And herein lies the true humility of the man of science. Science is often charged with being arrogant. But the true student of Nature cannot be otherwise than humble-minded. That man is unworthy of the name of a man of science who, whatever may be his special branch of study, has not materially altered his views on some important points within the last twelve years.* The means at our command for obtaining correct views of the laws which govern Nature are ever increasing, and if we only

The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection; or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.

By Charles Darwin, M.A., F.R.S. Sixth edition, with additions and corrections. (London: J. Murray, 1872.)