EE Ss hl lee 
ee  — — ————KGme eee. h Uc 
49 
ing characters and improving forms of developmental structures, 
from the first simple cell mentioned in this paper to the highest 
and most beautiful type of the modern highly civilized European 
was the result of Evolution and not of special creation. Although 
the rocks have not been one millionth part geologically examined, 
yet there is ample evidence that the changes in the fauna and 
flora of the earth have been continually taking place throughout 
the myriads of ages in the past. That these changes have been 
brought about by altered conditions, by natural selection, or the 
survival of the fittest in the struggle for existence, by sexual 
selection, and lastly by methodical selection, there can be little 
doubt. Although changes are generally slow and imperceptible, 
yet after a great lapse of time and ever changing conditions 
varieties of different species will diverge and change in form and 
feature, until the said varieties are so different from each other 
that they may be classed as distinct species. The wonderful and 
incorruptible fossil monuments of the fauna and flora of all ages 
in the past history of life in this world are a clear and unmistake- 
able record of one ever changing and ascending process of 
Evolution. Darwin states on the last page in his “ Origin of 
Species’ that ‘There is grandeur in this view of life, with its 
several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator 
into a few forms or into one, and that whilst this planet has gone 
cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple 
a beginning, endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful 
have been and are being evolved.”’ 
During the lecture evidence was advanced in favour of the 
Theory from the fact of the appearance of a numaber of rudiment- 
ary organs in the lower animals and in man. There was also 
touched upon the questions of Affinities and Genealogy, secondary 
characters, variation, the imperfection of the Geological record, 
&e. The paper gave rise to a warm and lengthy debate, in which 
many members joined, Dr. Monckman taking the lead in opposi- 
tion to the theories advanced by Mr. Nutter. 
DRAMATIC SOIREE. 
Director, T. MIDGLEY. April 29th, 1884. 
This soirée was held in the Mechanics’ Institution, the follow- 
ing being the Pieces performed :— 
“¢ Our Birtrerest For,” 
a One Act Drama, by G. C. Herbert. 
General Von Rosenberg, a Prussian Commander............... 
J. W. Houlden. 
