17 



to appreciate the differences between individuals without 

 a rigid inspection, and that sometimes we may fail to do 

 so even when the objects are critically examined ; yet 

 the fact that new peculiarities do unquestionably open 

 out upon us, as we become more and more trained for 

 the recognition of them, ought to warn us that others 

 may exist likewise, despite our primd-facie conclusions ; 

 whilst analogy with what we know to be the case in 

 other departments of the organic world should suggest, 

 unless indeed there is presumptive evidence to the con- 

 trary, that they in all probability do. 



The Alpine range, when seen from afar, appears a 

 monotonous mass of a dull uniform hue ; and nothing, 

 of all the wondrous details which it includes, can be 

 distinguished, except perchance the outline of its jagged 

 peaks projected in faint relief against the distant sky. 

 One by one, however, as we approach it, inequalities 

 present themselves; the surface which lately seemed so 

 uniform and grey that it could be compared only to a 

 cloud, is found to be cleft by ravines ; and valleys, in all 

 their magnificence and breadth, expand slowly to our 

 view. Yet, marvellous as is the change, this is not all : 

 wood and water, without which the landscape would be 

 barren, are in turn revealed ; whilst the play of light 

 and shade upon the mountain-slopes proclaims at length 

 that the picture is well nigh complete. Still more to be 

 disclosed does in reality remain ; and we must advance 

 nearer yet if we would either fully realise the whole, or 

 enter into the surprising minutiae of each of its com- 



