The importance of the change wrought by Darwin's book cannot be overestimated. First, it revolutionized the method of work and the aims of natural history. The aims of zoological investigation were thenceforth the retracing of zoological history, determining the stages through which plants and animals have passed in their development. Before Darwin's time systematic work was the mere enumeration of species; since, it has been the study of relation ships. Before Darwin, embryology was the de• scription of the earlier stages of development; since, it has been the reading of the phylogeny in ontogeny. Before Darwin, comparative anat omy was the comparison of types: since then it has become the study of the effect of func tion and environment in molding the bodily form.
But the influence of Darwinism was by no means confined to natural history. Darwin him self early extended his general theory to man, especially in The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex (18 7 1). Thus extended, Dar win's theory came into opposition to the Bible. literally and narrowly interpreted. and so it aroused a vast storm of opposition from Church officials, in fullness of time not only ecclesi astics but philosophers of every sort have come to base their teachings and doctrines on evolution. Darwin taught that the mind of man in its lowest stages was essentially an ani mal mind, and the upward progress of man is viewed as effected by natural causes, chief among which is the action of natural selection. lle does not inquire into the exact way in which the mental and bodily are connected. He simply as sumes that, just as the bodily organism is capa ble of varying in an indefinite number of ways, so may the mental faculties vary indefinitely in correspondence with certain physical changes. In this way he seeks to account for all the higher mental powers, as the use of language and rea son, the sentiment. of beauty. and conscience. Finally, Darwin seeks to give a practical and ethical turn to his doctrine, since he defines the general good—the proper object of man's action —as "the rearing of the greatest number of individuals in full health and vigor, and with all their faculties perfect under the conditions to which they are subject." It is well to observe that if Darwinism confined itself to a strict fol lowing of the great investigator. it might involve
less of philosophic and metaphysical theory than has become popularly associated with it. for much of which Darwin is not to be held respon sible. For further exposition of Darwin's views, see EVOLUTION AND NATURAL SELECTION, and the discussion of special phases of his doctrine and investigations under other titles there indicated.
Darwin's later life was devoted to the demon stration of his theory by a series of studies, the results of which appeared chiefly in the follow ing books: Fertili:ation of Orehids (18 62) ; 1 ariation of Animals and Plants Under Domesti cation (1868) ; Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1812) ; Inseetiro•ous Plants (1 75) ; Climbing Plants (1 87 5) ; The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilization in. the Vegetable Kingdom (18761: Different Forms of Flowers in Plants of the Same Species (18 7 7): The Power of Morement in Plants (IS 0); and On the Formation of Mold by the Action of Earth worms (18 S 1).
Personally Darwin was characterized by a kind disposition, gentle manners, and brilliant conversational qualities. His warm-heartedness, added to his genius, made for him strong friends, many of whom were of great assistance to hint in gaining an acceptance of his theorieS. Ilis methods of study were interesting. lle was a voluminous gatherer of notes on topics NvILioll interested him; in experimentation he was quick in his and accurate. As in the case of many other leaders of science, his brain was fertile in hypotheses, which were readily rejected when experiment had shown them to be faulty. Although his was voluminous, be attended to it all with scrupulous care, reply ing eourteonsly even to a request from a young ninn who was preparing a lyceum lecture for au abbreviated statement of his views, as the writer had no time to read his books.
Ile died April 19, 1882, full of years and honors. He was awarded the Prussian Order Pour to 1.1c:rite (1871), and was made a member of the French Academy in 1878.
Consult Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, including an autobiographical chapter, edited by his son, Francis Darwin (3 vols.. London, 1887; reprinted in 2 vols., New York, 1S93).