ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



On the DiAMORPHosis of Lyngbya^ Schizogonium^ and 

 Prasiola, and their connection with the so-called Pal- 

 MELLACE^.^ By J. Braxton Hicks^ M.D, Lond., 

 F.L.S., &c. 



No one can doubt but that the present discussion on the 

 origin and properties of species, will produce a marked 

 benefit on the study of natural history. Already its influence 

 has been considerable, and as the minds of naturalists more 

 fully appreciate the points involved in the question, upon 

 whichever side they may rally, the fruit it will produce will 

 be much more abundant ; probably beyond our present an- 

 ticipations. And this effect will be exerted quite as much on 

 the opponents of Darwin's theory, as on the supporters, not 

 only by making them more careful to determine the amount 

 of variation any species may permit, if it be really limited in 

 this respect ; but, also, it will urge them to the much more 

 extended study of life-history. Thus, doubtless, many genera, 

 and even families, will be erased, while the elevation of va- 

 rieties into species will be much checked. Nothing shows the 

 want of care in the two points here indicated more than the 

 study of the lower forms of vegetation ; much has been done, 

 but much yet remains ; indeed, as I have already expressed 

 myself, nearly the whole require revision by the study of their 

 entire existence. So long as colour and size are held as 

 specific, and even generic signs, while their diamorphoses are 

 unnoticed, so long must the extreme confusion that meets one 

 at every step, exist. 



From what I have already brought forward regarding the 

 passage of the gonidia of lichens into many genera of what had 

 hitherto been classed as algse, we might be prepared to expect 

 that a similar condition might obtain in the gonidia of other 



* It is to be noted that, when cell-formation or multiplication is alluded 

 to, any theory as to the mode by which it takes place is not intended to be 

 expressed. However, it may be remarked tiiat abundant evidence exists to 

 show that, in the subject of this paper, the presence of a nucleus is by no 

 means necessary to the formation of a new cell. 



VOL. I. NEW SER. M 



