THE EVOLUTION THEORY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 223, 18 September 1894, Page 8

THE EVOLUTION THEORY.

LECTURE -ON DARWIN,

The Lecture Hall of the Auckland Mueeum, Princes-streeb, was crowded last evening, when Professor Thomas delivered an interesting and ab the same bime instructive lecture upon "Darwin." -Mr J-H. Upton, Presidenb of ' the 'Institute, .occupied the chair.' Professor Thomas introduced his subjecb by referring to the greab influence Darwin's writings.' and the controversies thereon, had upon modern thought. .He expressed the opinion' thab these writings would occupy a prominent parb when the' history of this century was written. Professor Thomas nexb gave a brief Bketch of Darwin's career. Ho also etated thab Darwin worked diligently for many years at his theory, -but the discovery was made about' the same time by Alfred Russell' Wallace. Professor Thomas said thatUanvin was not the first to advance the theory of evolution, for Buffpn, the great French naturalist, bad referred to ib, but had to mention it merely as an interesting speculation, for fear of clashing with the Church of his day, and he saved himself by.addiag "But we know by revelation such is . nob bhe case, still evolution is an- interesting speculation." Lamarck, a pupil of Buffon, advanced the theory of evolution still further, aboub bhe closo of the 18bh century. Darwin's father, Guiteau, R. Chambers, Herberb Spencer had also written upon the evolution of the species, bub ib was Darwin who brought bho matter prominently forward and wenb inbo the theory in detail. Professor Thomas then dealt ab length with the theory ol evolution, referring to natural selection, survival of tho fittest, adaptation to surroundings. Darwin's theory was thab evolution was the result of natural selections Professor Thomas said of course tho idea meb with much opposition at first, as it was said to be against) the. teachings of the Biblo. The lecturer ■ added thab now, of course, the Bible was accepted as a religious guide, but not as a-texb book on Bcience. • The question to-day was nob whethel* the theory of evolution, .was. correcb bub was evolution - the result of natural selection oi* something' else!' Professor Thomas illustrated his -remarks by diagrams, stuffed pigeons, and pictures thrown on: a screen by ■'-'limelighb,- tho various objects boing. clearly explained in' an interesting mahiier, and in concluding ha answered some of the. arguments advanced against the theory of evolution.. At the close of the lecture a very cordial vote of thanks was accorded Professor Thomas. .