This now stands, “The theory of natural selection, even if we look no further than this, _seems to be in the highest degree probable_.” It is not only probable, but was very sufficiently proved long before Mr. Darwin was born, only it must be the right natural selection and not Mr. Charles Darwin’s. Again:— “It is inexplicable, _on the theory of creation_, why a part developed, &c., . . . _but_, _on my view_, this part has undergone,” &c. (p. 474). “On my view” became “on our view” in 1869. Again:— “Glancing at instincts, marvellous as some are, they offer no greater difficulty than does corporeal structure _on the theory of the natural selection of successive_, _slight_, _but profitable modifications_” (p. 474). Again:— “_On the view of all the species of the same genus having descended from a common parent_, and having inherited much in common, we can understand how it is,” &c. (p. 474). Again:— “If we admit that the geological record is imperfect in an extreme degree, then such facts as the record gives, support _the theory of descent with modification_. “ . . . The extinction of species . . . almost inevitably follows on _the principle of natural selection_” (p. 475). The word “almost” has got a great deal to answer for. Again:— “We can understand, _on the theory of descent with modification_, most of the great leading facts in Distribution” (p. 476). Again:— “The existence of closely allied or representative species in any two areas, implies, _on the theory of descent with modification_, that the same parents formerly inhabited both areas . . . It must be admitted that these facts receive no explanation _on the theory of creation_ . . . The fact . . . is intelligible _on the theory of natural selection_, with its contingencies of extinction and divergence of character” (p. 478). Again:— “Innumerable other such facts at once explain themselves _on the theory of descent with slow and slight successive modifications_” (p. 479). “Any one whose disposition leads him to attach more weight to unexplained difficulties than to the explanation of a certain number of facts, _will certainly reject my theory_” (p. 482). “My theory” became “the theory” in 1869. * * * * * From this point to the end of the book the claim is so ubiquitous, either expressly or by implication, that it is difficult to know what not to quote. I must, however, content myself with only a few more extracts. Mr. Darwin says:— “It may be asked _how far I extend the doctrine of the modification of species_” (p. 482). Again:— “Analogy would lead me one step further, namely, to the belief that all animals and plants have descended from some one prototype . . . Therefore I should infer from analogy that probably all the organic beings which have ever lived on this earth have descended from some one primordial form, into which life was first breathed.”