AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

It is not the purpose of the following pages to discuss once more the
arguments deduced for and against Darwin's theory of the origin of
species, or to weigh them one against the other. Their object is simply
to indicate a few facts favourable to this theory, collected upon the
same South American ground, on which, as Darwin tells us, the idea first
occurred to him of devoting his attention to "the origin of
species,--that mystery of mysteries."

It is only by the accumulation of new and valuable material that the
controversy will gradually be brought into a state fit for final
decision, and this appears to be for the present of more importance than
a repeated analysis of what is already before us. Moreover, it is but
fair to leave it to Darwin himself at first to beat off the attacks of
his opponents from the splendid structure which he has raised with such
a master-hand.

F.M.

DESTERRO, 7TH SEPTEMBER, 1863.



CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTORY.