1866. | Darwin and his Teachings. — : 169 
As to the opponents of the theory, their readiness to employ the 
author’s inability to create a new species, has rarely been the result 
of honest scepticism, for they have rather sought to show what he 
has not been able to effect, than ready to estimate the value of what 
he has accomplished. Upon his line of argument, however, there 
can be little doubt that hybridism becomes a much graver objection 
to the theory of transmutation, than if we consider it as a special 
check applied by Providence (probably in the process of fertilization) 
and in the manner and for the purposes specified; and this is 
another weak point in an otherwise well-founded theory. 
The most striking data in favour of descent with modification, 
and those which are likely to be multiplied from year to year, 
relate to the geographical distribution of plants and animals, 
and to their paleontological history. We have already touched 
upon some of the facts observed by Darwin before he was a 
believer in his own doctrine, whilst still on his travels; and if our 
readers wish to study the subject fully, we would refer them more 
especially to his account of the Galapagos Islands,* and of the 
geographical distribution of American animals,f and would recom- 
mend a comparison of these his earlier researches with the 
chapter in his ‘Origin of Species’ upon geographical distribution. 
But here, it will be more useful if we bring before our readers an 
example of the mode in which the theory is silently working its 
way amongst those naturalists who are directing their attention to 
this phase of the subject. 
In Numbers II. and IV. of this Journal (April and October, 
1864), there appeared two papers, one by Dr. Sclater, a general 
zoologist, “On the Mammals of Madagascar;” another by Mr. 
Trimen, of Cape Town, a lepidopterist, on the Butterflies of the 
same island. Of the experience and abilities of these, our contri- 
butors, it would be superfluous, perhaps unbecoming, on our part, to 
make any comment. From the two papers, it would appear, that 
- while the mammals of Madagascar are almost entirely peculiar to 
that island, having but slight affinities with those of Africa and the 
East Indies (chiefly with the latter), the butterflies of the same 
island are almost the same as those of the nearest mainland, Africa. 
Dr. Sclater seeks to explain the peculiarities of the Mascarene fauna, 
Ist, by assuming the truth of the theory of the “ Derivative Origin 
of Species ;” and 2nd, by supposing that anterior to the existence of 
Airica in its present shape, a large continent, which he proposes to 
eall “ Lemuria,” occupied parts of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean ; 
that this continent “was broken up into islands, of which some 
became amalgamated with the present continent of Africa, and some, 
probably, with what is now Asia,” and that in Madagascar and the 
* «Journal of Researches,’ p. 393. + Ibid., pp. 131 and 326. 
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