[page] 366

LETTER FROM PROFESSOR HENSLOW.

HITCHAM, IPSWICH,

January, 1861.

My dear Sir,

The manner in which my name is noticed in a review of Mr. Darwin's work in your number for December, is liable to lead to a misapprehension of my view of Mr. Darwin's "Theory on the Origin of Species." Though I have always expressed the greatest respect for my friend's opinions, I have told himself That I cannot assent to his speculations without seeing stronger proofs than he has yet produced. I send you an extract from a letter I have received from my brother-in-law the Rev. L. Jenyns, the well-known author of "British Vertebrata," as it very nearly expresses the views I at present entertain, in regard to Mr. Darwin's theory —or rather hypothesis, as I should prefer calling it. I have heard his book styled "the book of the day," on more than one occasion by a most eminent naturalist; who is himself opposed to and has written against its conclusions; but who considers it ought not to be attacked with flippant denunciation, as though it were unworthy consideration. If it be faulty in its general conclusion, it is surely a stumble in the right direction, and not to be refuted by arguments which no naturalist will allow to be really adverse to the speculations it contains.

Yours faithfully,

J. S. Henslow.

EXTRACT.

"I see, in Macmillan's magazine, you are arranged with Lyell, Hooker and others in list of those who have espoused Darwin's views. I was not aware you had become a convert to his theory, and can hardly suppose you have accepted it as a whole, though, like myself, you may go to the length of imagining that many of the smaller groups, both of animals and plants, may at some remote period have a common parentage. I do not, with some, say that the whole of his theory cannot be true —but, that it" is very far from proved; and I doubt its ever being possible to prove it.