back to the original bi-cellular organism--protoplasm? If these
are our humble beginnings, what a progression to Man, so "noble
in reason, infinite in faculty"!

Speculations about the development of life are very fascinating.
I hold very strongly to belief in the survival of the fittest.
Accepting this theory, you can explain most of the apparent
inconsistencies that exist in the world. But I must admit that
there is at least a possibility that genera are not changed by
environment, time or circumstances. Perhaps they exist until they
become unfit, when they vanish. The genus may remain in existence
as a permanency till it ceases to become fit to survive, but the
species most certainly alters. The only point in dispute is,
therefore: do genera become altered by environment, etc.? Or do
they exist unaltered till they become unfit, when they just
vanish from this sublunary scene? However this may be, the broad
principle of natural selection seems to me to be unshakably
established.

_May 20th, 1917._

I was absolutely taken aback by the news of Felix Cohn's[18]
death. It seems almost incredible to me, even at this moment. It
was only a few days ago that we met out here. He had then been
"over the top" and was in high spirits. He was a sincere fellow
and played his part like a man. I do take off my hat to the
Infantry. No one in England realises what we all owe to them;
marvellous men they are. How they endure what they do, Heaven
only knows. If you see Mr. Cohn, please express to him my deepest
sympathy, or rather, send me his address and I will write to him.

[Footnote 18: Second Lieutenant Felix A. Cohn, East Surrey
Regiment. Born, August 31st, 1896. Killed, May 3rd, 1917. Was
in the Modern Sixth at Dulwich with Paul Jones. Son of Mr.
August Cohn, barrister.]

We of the Tank Corps are having a pleasant and peaceful time in
billets these days. Nature hereabouts is beginning to put on her
best dress. It is _some_ contrast between the vivid green foliage
that one sees about here and the blasted trees and
shell-shattered areas of the fighting zone. Only one thing
indicating the living force of nature did I remark in that dreary
countryside. This was the piping of a few birds