316 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



ingly in direct reference to these, provided with the means of cutting 

 through these tubes. In this instance, therefore, the adaptation is as 

 obviously not mutual ; the structure of the flower displays no refer- 

 ence to the insect, whereas the insect is, consequently, expressly mo- 

 dified to rob the flower by violent means. Other instances were then 

 brought forward, w4iich led to the conclusion that just as we ascend 

 (in this instance) to more particular cases, the relation of the prey to 

 the preyer becomes more vague and general, while that of the preyer 

 continues equally explicit ; till at length we arrive at preyers such as 

 the Buphaga (or Oxpccker), the entire adaptative structure of which 

 appears to be expressly designed for clinging firmly to the hides of 

 ungulate mammalians, while the beak is employed in penetrating to, 

 and drawing forth, the larvae of Ostuda, which infest them. 



The parasites of all animals, it was contended, may be regarded, 

 of course, as preyers ; and consequently, in the degree of their spe- 

 ciality, the probability increases of their subsequent introduction to 

 that of the species on which they occur ; and, so far as I can judge 

 (remarked Mr. B.), we have at present no reason to assume that 

 species have ever been created in reference to future circumstances, 

 however exquisitely, to the very utmost minutiae, they unquestionably 

 were to the actually existent : for most undoubtedly the ever-pro- 

 gressive changes in the condition of the earth are the appointed 

 means of bringing about their successive extermination, when a new 

 state of things having been gradually superinduced, their presence 

 becomes no longer needed, new races being called into existence to 

 supply their places, more appropriately adapted. Wherefore it was 

 deduced, we may justly conclude that no species is provided with ex- 

 press means of ridding itself of its parasitic annoyances, although in- 

 struments that it may possess for quite another purpose may be like- 

 wise employed with that intent, of which the pectinated claws which 

 had given I'ise to this course of argument afforded an example. An 

 amusing speculation of M. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire was then referred to, 

 on the philosophy of final causes, originating in the circumstance of 

 a monstrous Calf, furnished with an additional jaw, situate at the 

 extremity of the under jaw, and the grinders of which occupied its 

 sides and were directed outwards, employing this anomalous structure 

 with great dexterity as a cleaning instrument, insomuch that the ex- 

 hibitors stated that it was prodded with a pair of combs, skilfully 

 combined and marvellously adapted for its use. 



Mr. Blyth then launched out into the consideration of such ob- 

 jections as he supposed might be advanced in opposition to the forego- 

 ing course of argument, and particularly one to the effect that the 

 adherence of Beetle claws and fish scales to the corners of the mouth 

 was as much a future contingency as the being infested by pa- 

 rasites ; which objection he did not conceive to be diflScult to meet, 

 as, admitting the axiom that every creature is perfectly adapted for 

 its appointed mode of life and such contingencies as might be sup- 

 posed to arise necessarily therefrom, the adaptation would, of course, 



