the best title
that could have been given, because at the time when the work was
published the _fact_, no less than the _method_, of organic evolution
had to be established; and hence the most important thing to be done at
that time was to prove the transmutation of species. But now that this
has been done to the satisfaction of naturalists in general, it is as I
have said, curious to find some of them denouncing a wider definition of
the principle of natural selection, merely because the narrower (or
included) definition is invested with the charm of verbal
associations[35].

[35] The question as to whether natural selection has been the only
principle concerned in the origination of species, is quite distinct
from that as to the accuracy of the above definition.

* * * * *

So much for fallacies and misconceptions touching Darwin's theory, which
are but too frequently met with in the writings of its supporters. We
must now pass on to mention some of the still greater fallacies and
misconceptions which are prevalent in the writings of its opponents.
And, in order to do this thoroughly, I shall begin by devoting the
remainder of the present chapter to a consideration of the antecedent
standing of the two theories of natural selection and supernatural
design. This having been done, in the succeeding chapters I shall deal
with the evidences for, and the objections against, the former theory.

* * * * *

Beginning, then, with the antecedent standing of these alternative
theories, the first thing to be noticed is, that they are both concerned
with the same subject-matter, which it is their common object to
explain. Moreover, this subject-matter is clearly and sharply divisible
into two great classes of facts in organic nature--namely, those of
Adaptation and those of Beauty. Darwin's theory of descent explains the
former by his doctrine of natural selection, and the latter by his
doctrine of sexual selection. In the first instance, therefore, I shall
have to deal only with the facts of adaptation, leaving for subsequent
consideration the facts of beauty.

Innumerable cases of the adaptation of organisms to their surroundings
being the facts which now stand before us to be explained either by
natural selection or by supernatural intention, we may first consider a
statement which is frequently met with--namely, that even if all such
cases of ada