XXU PKOCEEDINGS OF THE 



should pronounce specifically distinct from any of them. The great 

 objections still urged are to the insufficiency of the data yet ascertained 

 for the extension of the principle to all changes and to all species ; 

 and whilst many of Mr. Darwin's generalizations may be considered 

 as adopted, there are others which many persons are disposed to 

 refer for further proof, and many objects of research more or less rele- 

 vant, indicated only by him, are still obscured from our view. But a 

 conscientious investigation of all doubtful questions connected with 

 the subject, if carried on by competent men under the influence of 

 rival theories, must surely lead us many a step further in the explo- 

 ration of that field towards which Mr. Darwin has made an immense 

 stride, inasmuch as he has broken down the barriers which guarded 

 its entrance, but which as yet is as nothing compared to the vast ex- 

 panse which lies before us. 



Next to the origin of species comes a question intimately con- 

 nected with it, but which may be independently investigated — that of 

 their dispersion and migrations, forming one of the most important 

 objects of geographical zoology and botany. Among zoologists I do 

 not find that so much has been done in the general consideration of 

 geographical distribution as among botanists ; I have not heard, at 

 least, of any general work on the subject recently published. Our own 

 publications show, however, that the subject is now attracting their 

 attention. Dr. Sclater's paper on the Geographical Distribution of 

 Birds in the Zoological portion of our Journal (vol. ii. p. 130), and on 

 the Zoology of New Guinea in the same volume (p. 149), point to a fact 

 of importance in the investigation of the geological history of our 

 globe, which has been more fuUy worked out by Mr. "Wallace in his 

 paper on the Zoological Geography of the Malay Archipelago in the 

 same Journal (vol. iv. p. 172), viz. the marked distinction between 

 the Faunas of the eastern and western islands. We know not how far 

 this may be confirmed in botany : the vegetation of the great eastern 

 islands of Celebes and New Guinea has been but little investigated ; 

 but as yet the few Australian types found beyond the nearest islands 

 have been gathered in the mountains of Borneo, where the Australian 

 fauna is found to be entirely absent. Mr. A. Murray has given us 

 some notes on the distribution of the insects of Old Calabar ; and Mr. 

 Frederick Smith, in a paper now printing for the next part of our 

 Journal, has tabulated that of the Aculeate Hymenoptera forming 

 part of the extensive collection of insects made by Mr. Wallace in 

 the Indian Archipelago. We may hope that this experienced natu- 

 ralist will himself methodize for us the general results deducible from 

 his materials ; and I trust that we may also induce Mr. Bates to com- 



