MIMICRY IN NATURE. 213 
5. The progenitors of species are impossible figments of the imagi- 
nation, which never can have existed. 
6. In every aspect, then, the origin of species, as explained by Mr. 
Darwin, is ** baseless."* This is his own sentence on his own theory, 
and in this view of the case most persons, after a candid examination 
of it will be disposed cordially to agree with the learned author. (From 
* The Darwinian Theory of the Origin of Species Examined, by a Gra- 
duate of the University of Cambridge,’ pp. 11-16.) 
MIMICRY IN NATURE. 
The few remarks on so-called * Mimiery in Nature," which I intro- 
duced in my new work on Central America, particularly relate to the 
predominance of the Willow form on river-banks. ]t is almost un- 
necessary to say that in the work from which the extract is taken it 
was undesirable to insert more than a few names in support of my 
observations, but it might not be difficult to show that most plants 
bearing leaves of a true Willow form do grow by running streams. To 
say nothing of those species of Saliv having Willow leaves (or those 
Salices not having Willow leaves, and not growing by running streams, 
8. herbacea, etc.) I would remind you of the different species of Nerium 
(Oleander), our Epilobium angustifolium (vulgo, Willow herb), Lythrum 
Salicaria, etc. That some plants are found by rivers which do not 
have Willow leaves (as pointed out) has, in my opinion, nothing to 
do with the question, how it comes to pass that the Willow form pre- - 
dominates to so great an extent in such localities. The answer may 
be very simple, but at present it has not come forth. About the term 
mimicry” there should be a clear understanding. It is, so far, a 
thoroughly objectionable one, as by employing it either in zoology or 
botany, the whole question is prejudged ; indeed, it is assumed—1. 
That organisms have the power to mimic other organisms; and 2. 
That they have come in contact with those organisms which they are 
supposed to mimic. Employ the terms * outer resemblance ” instead 
of mimicry, and we are on neutral, undisputed ground. The subject 
* If speculation on the first differentiation of species is baseless and useless, 
then the deduction is inevitable that the main question of the theory cannot 
be established on any base. 
