How to Formulate Mathematically the Problems of the Rate of Evolution

Abstract

When I was about 14 years old, I was very much interested in mathematics and wanted to become a mathematician, but I read a lot of other things, too. Conan Doyle’s story, “ The Lost World,” was a fascinating book. The main character, Professor Challenger, was a natural scientist. Those who have read the book remember, perhaps, his terrific temper and the violent debates in which biologists engaged at that time and how Challenger’s terrible temper made such scientific meetings exciting. Then, at the age of 18 I attended a mathematical meeting and was terribly disappointed that nothing of the sort occurred. It was all too calm and quiet.