104 The Scottish Naturalist. 



cal action increased towards the Permian age, when it reached 

 a maximum coincidently with the minimum of generic produc- 

 tion ; that onward through the Neozoic formations geological 

 activity lessened again till it ended with a second quiescence 

 and the second maximum generification. 



This, it will be seen, goes quite beyond Forbes's position. 

 He gave an empirical Law. Wallace, supposing that law 

 established, suggests a physical theory or cause. He plays 

 Newton to Forbes. But with what success ? Would the facts 

 of physical geology allow of an explanation of polarity or of 

 anything else on the terms of Wallace? There is evidence 

 enough of intensity of geological action at the middle of the 

 series, but where is the proof of repose at the extremes ? And 

 even if the alterations of geological activity and quiescence 

 were in accordance with Wallace's supposition, what is this he 

 asserts of their respective biological influences ? Does geolo- 

 gical repose account for an accelerated production of generic 

 forms ? Does activity account for an arrest thereof? With 

 ample authority the hypothesis of natural selection reverses this 

 order of cause and effect. And altogether it seems to offer 

 such provisions as would promise Forbes his Newton rather 

 in Darwin than in Wallace. 



(To be continued.) 



SCIENTIFIC NOMENCLATURE. 



By the EDITOR. 



"The laws requisite for the correct name of an animal or of a plant have 

 become as difficult to establish as the most intricate legal question." — Agassiz. 



1\ /T ANY of my readers must be aware that for some time 

 **■ past a fierce war has been raging among entomologists 

 on the subject of nomenclature, and that most entomologists 

 have ranged themselves on one of two sides ; one party con- 

 tending that the law of strict priority should be applied in all 

 cases, the other that a name long used and well-known, though 

 not the oldest, should be retained in preference to a name little 

 known and used, even though the latter has the right of 

 priority. 



