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than that in which a variety propagated by seeds would perish, if, indeed, such a 
variety would, in the sense intended, perish at all, still, its duration would be so 
great that we have not yet had time to witness the decay of any variety in this 
way. This conclusion well accords with the many known instances of plants 
still vigorous having been propagated by buds or grafts only, for centuries or even 
thousands of years. 
Mr. Darwin’s recently published work is ‘‘On Cross and self-fertilisation 
of Plants.” Perhaps the strongest impression formed in reading it is not on the 
subject of the book itself but of its author. One is forcibly reminded of the 
aphorism that one of the chief characteristics of genius is an infinite capacity for 
work. The volume is based on numerous carefully conducted experiments, carried 
out continuously during eleven years. Time would fail me to even briefly sum- 
marise the conclusions drawn from these experiments. A measure is given of the 
amount of advantage derived from cross over self-fertilisation, and many of the 
conditions that determine the advantage derived from crossing investigated. 
Why cross fertilisation should be almost a necessity remains, of course, an in- 
scrutable problem, but it is clearly shown that to secure the full advantages that 
result from a cross, it is necessary that the stocks that are crossed should have 
existed under somewhat different conditions for some generations. There are, 
however, several species of plants existing in a state of nature that appear never 
to be cross fertilised, but have probably for ages been propagated by self-fertilisa- 
tion. Of these one of the most remarkable is the Ophrys apifera. Still more 
remarkable, however, is the fact that by artificial selection it appears possible in 
some species, in which ordinarily cross fertilisation is as necessary as with others, 
to raise varieties or races of as much or greater vigour than the parent race, in 
which propagation by self-fertilisation may be continually resorted to without 
diminution of stamina. 
Among other events of the year the Arctic Expedition has brought some 
additions to our knowledge, but those that are of interest to our club are not of 
great importance. The northern limit of animal migration in the direction taken 
by the expedition appears to have been reached, but this limit appears to be 
determined, not by the fact of higher latitudes being uninhabited, but by the 
accident that in that particular longitude there is no further extension of land to 
the north, Another of the events of the past year has been an energetic attempt 
to stifle scientific research, in obedience no doubt to most praiseworthy motives, 
but in effect a striking instance of that zeal without knowledge, whose results are 
not commendable. In the event the common sense of our legislators has so far 
prevailed that a measure has been passed that will interfere but slightly with the 
progress of science, whilst it will satisfactorily prevent those abuses in its name 
that are liable to occur, though in this matter it is known that they were in this 
country at least but trifling in extent. I refer to the Experiments on Animals 
Act, The whole question is one to be settled by ordinary common sense—but it 
must be common sense duly instructed as to the facts. As a major premiss, 
common sense has long ago decided that pain and even death may be inflicted on 
