THE MUSEUM. 



267 



cent date, species have become 'ex- 

 tinct; and we can see some from our 

 own observation, fast looking that 

 way. This, to my mind, is one of the 

 strongest arguments, though not a con- 

 clusive proof, that new species are 

 from time to time being introduced. 

 For "Nature abhors a vacuum" in 

 the mineral world also. Though no 

 one can positively point to an instance 

 as proof of this, we must remember it 

 is much easier to trace the extinction 

 of a species than to show the undoubt- 

 ed origin of one. Whoever has his 

 eye fixed npon some object that is van- 

 ishing out of sight may see the last 

 glimpse of it and be able to tell exact- 

 ly when and where it disappeared. 

 But how different is it to say some 

 new object has appeared on the land- 

 scape while we are uncertain as to 

 what point of the horizon to look for 

 its advent or whether it may not have 

 appeared at some point of the earth 

 where proper observation has been 

 wanting or while we slumbered— The 

 tares so came among the wheat and 

 yet by appointed means, and natural 

 causes. (Matt. XIIf:25.J If it be 

 true, as indeed it is, that species do 

 become extinct, if the earth is not re- 

 plenished with new ones it only be- 

 comes a question of time how soon the 

 earth will become entirely destitute of 

 living things. This would depend up- 

 on the rate at which species are van- 

 ishing. But it would not require any 

 infinite dyration of time and it might 

 go on with accumulated speed because 

 of the intimate relation that exists 

 through all the world of life. Some 

 parasitic species must perish with their 

 hosts and go down with them in the 

 ruin; and some are so intimately de- 

 pendent upon others for food that the 



destruction of one is the destruction of 

 both, though one may not be parasitic 

 in its habits. Upon the principle of 

 commensalism, species might so affect 

 each other that both wonld perish to- 

 gether. 



If it be not true that new species 

 are being introduced it would seem to 

 be an unavoidable conclusion that the 

 world has already entered upon a 

 downward career that is leading to the 

 extinctioff of life. But can that be be- 

 lieved when we see the recent living 

 species of many genera exceed in num- 

 bers the same genus in all previous 

 ages of the world combined, since the 

 genus first begun.' 



Geo. M. Crofts, 

 Keokuk, Iowa. 



Porcelains and Ceramics. 



BY LEE ROY J. TAPPAN. 



Supremacy of mind over matter is 

 best illustrated by that which the Jap- 

 anese artisan has done toward exalting 

 inanimate mother earth to the form 

 and position of that which -is suggest- 

 ive, if not possessive, of an inert vital- 

 ity. Few nationalities live nearer to 

 nature's heart than the inhabitants of 

 Japan. An almost intuitive instinct to 

 reproduce life's glorious realities in 

 tangible form is most remarkable in 

 their porcelain and pottery creations, 

 all of which are nothing more or less 

 than a representation of this very life 

 which they have always lived. The 

 secret of an undimmed success in all 

 undertakings is dependent in great 

 measure upon one's seriousness of con- 

 ception as to what the outcome should 

 be. 



The Japanese artisan could never 

 dispense with his ideal of perfection, 

 and it is perhaps this sympathetic and 



