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The Origin of the existing Vegetable Creation. By PRorrsson J. F. 
ScHOUwW. Transactions of the Meeting of the Scandinavian Naturalists 
at Copenhagen, in 1847, Append. K. p.119. (Translated from the 
Danish, by N. Warricn, M.D., F.R.S., V.P.L.S.) 
The history of our earth has made gigantic strides forward during 
the last half-century. Numerous facts, and conclusions derived from 
them, have taken the place of arbitrary theories. But as the older periods 
in the world’s history are often better known than the more recent, so 
likewise are we better acquainted withgthe ancient periods of the history 
of our earth’s structure than with those of a recent date; for while we 
possess a tolerable acquaintance with the condition of this globe, its 
plants and animals, during the Coal-formation, our knowledge is sin- 
gularly deficient in regard to the epoch which formed the transition 
from the former to the present creation. It is only in the most recent 
times that geologists and zoologists have directed their attention to 
this field of research ; while the contributions of botanists towards 
illustrating the any in question, have been very few. Among 
the most important questions naturally arising in investigations of this 
sort, is undoubtedly that relating to the origin and spread of the 
vegetable world, at present occupying the surface of the globe; 
and here several points offer themselves for being preliminarily 
solved. 
1. Itis asked then, in the first place, whether every species of plant has 
originally sprung up in one single spot (so-called centrum), whence it 
has afterwards spread over greater or smaller, sometimes immense, 
tracts ; or may we assume, that the same species has originally appeared 
in several, often far distant, places? And with this question another 
is connected, namely this: Is it necessary to assume, that each species 
has originated from one single individual (or two, in the case of 
bisexual plants), or have several individuals been created simul- 
taneously ? 
If we take the idea of species to be an assemblage of individuals, 
originally sprung from one single individual, we build our notion upon an 
hypothesis, we presuppose a state of things as yet to be demonstrated ; 
since no proof has hitherto been offered in confirmation of such a 
common origin. But if we attend to the facts presented by the existing 
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