94
JOHN GIBBS: AN ESSEX BOTANIST.
to controvert the statements made and the opinions expressed
by Dr. Aveling in his Student's Darwin (1881). Gibbs' argu-
ment is maintained fairly well throughout, and often with
humour. He exposes mercilessly Dr. Aveling's ignorance of
certain botanical points and maintains that, in many places, he
had totally perverted Darwin's teachings. Incidentally, Gibbs
JOHN GIBBS (1822 to ? 1892), ESSEX BOTANIST, AGED 66.
discloses the fact that he had now become a convert to the
whole Doctrine of Evolution by Natural Selection.
But, concurrently with this revival of his scientific interests,
Gibbs was drifting steadily into very troubled waters. In or
about 1879, differences had arisen between him and the Com-
mittee of Management of the Museum. The Committee claimed