232 EVIDENCE FROM PALAEOPHYTOLOGY 



But however valuable such results may be in leading towards a better 

 knowledge, and more rational views, still they deal with relatively minor 

 matters, and do not directly touch questions of prime origin. As to the 

 early stages of evolution, of Bryophytes as well as Pteridophytes, the study 

 of Fossils is still silent, and it seems not improbable that it will remain 

 so. In order to frame some view of the prime origin of Land-Plants 

 recourse must accordingly be taken to the only other method available 

 for resolution of these problems, viz., the comparison of living forms. 

 Experiment, another possible line of enquiry, but still in its infancy, is 

 left out of account at present, for reasons explained above (p. 7). Those 

 who deal habitually with the stronger weapon of direct historical fact 

 involved in the study of the fossils are apt to feel some distrust of the 

 more delicate weapon of comparison : it is liable to be weak and indecisive, 

 and its results are much more in the nature of expressions of opinion 

 than of actual demonstration. Still, so long as comparison is the only 

 means available, it is necessary to use it, notwithstanding its weakness 

 and uncertainty : while its conclusions will be checked, wherever possible, 

 by reference to the more direct results of Palaeophytology. Such con- 

 clusions may ultimately come also under revision, on the grounds of 

 their probability in the past, at the hands of the experimental morphologist. 

 But as his experiments can never apply directly to any organisms except 

 those now existing on the earth, the conclusions which he arrives at 

 can never have the direct cogency which is inherent in Palaeo-phytological 

 fact. 



For reasons thus explained, it is upon comparative study that we must 

 chiefly depend at present, when we attempt to trace the origin of the 

 sporophyte generation, whether as exhibited in forms now living, or in 

 those which the palaeophytologists are disclosing with such amazing 

 rapidity. 



