How to Solve One of the Problems of Science [pp. 787-793]

THE HIGHEST PROBLEMS OF SCIENCE.
species into another. The fossils in the rocks point to evolution, and embryology adds its testimony to paleontology. They
tell us that from the few germs of life first planted on our
earth by the Creator have sprung the numberless plants and
animals which we see around us to-day. But, as we have said,
in order to convince unbelievers of this fact, we must have recourse to experiment. We must try to do artificially what nature in her slow way has done by natural means.
And here we quote again from De Varigny's Experimental
Evolution, p. 240:
"... Scientific investigation being the only aim, the only
point in view, it seems advisable to undertake the study of the
influence of selection-be it on animal or on plant-without any
particular forethought at all. I mean by this that such investigations should be begun without any view of obtaining a variation and variety in any particular direction. For instance, suppose Lysimachia nummularia... is made the subject of
investigation in selection. Well, it would not do to decide beforehand to seek for a new variety having such or such a peculiarity in the roots, or stems, or leaves: one should merely
cultivate the plants, and if among them some offered any interesting or curious variation in any part whatever, one ought to
begin the process of selection, and try to consolidate in the
progeny this particular variation. This method offers the advantage of opening a wider field to investigation.... In
fact we must try to craze the plant, to make it vary as much
as possible in all possible directions.... One must not
forget that in experiments of this kind, especially with wild or
uncultivated plants, a long time is sometimes required before
any important variations occur; the species seems for a long
period to resist all inducements to variation, and then, all of a
sudden, it begins to vary considerably and in many'different
directions."
Not in one generation, nor perhaps in ten generations,
may the work we have here suggested to the hoped-for
school of experimental evolution bring about any marked results. But the idea of such a school is not original with us, it
is not Pickwickian: Professor Romanes hopes to have one established in connection with the University of Oxford; and why
not, as we have said, begin the experimental study of this high
problem in science here in America? We have the talent, we
have abundant means, and all that is needed is enthusiasms
Let us begin.
VOL. LVIII.-53
I 894-1
793