273 



distinct periods of time, as well as of space. — Prof. Phillips would 

 not enter into the question of the hypothesis, but as a geologist he 

 could say, that the changes required to produce the isolation of the 

 Floras spoLen of by Mr. Forbes, were not greater than must have 

 taken place to produce other well-known geological phenomena. He 

 believed the views of Prof. Forbes of great importance ; and, in re- 

 gard to the examination of the distribution of extinct forms of animals 

 and vegetables, would furnish a mode of investigation of the greatest 

 value. — Mr. C. C. Babington stated, that if the presumed geological 

 phenomena of Prof. Forbes could be granted to have taken place, that 

 would be a strong argument in favour of the hypothesis he had adopt- 

 ed. The great difficulty in the way of supposing the creation of but 

 one individual of a species was their frequent disti'ibution over various 

 parts of the world. — Prof. Forbes, in reply, stated that if the hypothe- 

 sis of a single pair or an individual of each species were not granted, 

 there was an end to all palaeontology and its value in geological in- 

 quiry. If the hypothesis of descent be not true, then the deductions 

 of geologists from it are erroneous. 



Rus in Urhe. By Edward Newman. 

 (Continued from page 198). 

 The hot weather and a direct southern aspect have well nigh ter- 

 minated my experimental city garden. The heat became intolerable 

 and the loss of plants pi'oportionably great: some few, however, seem 

 to bear any degi'ee of heat, and even now there is a goodly sprinkling 

 of fronds, all of them young and of the tenderest green. Some north- 

 ern ferns seem well satisfied with the high temperature, while others 

 perish from its effects. As yet, however, my experience in these 

 matters is so limited that I prefer saying but little, since I may very 

 possibly find myself attempting to raise mere casualties to the rank 



and importance of laws. 



***** 



T am disposed to believe that our Pteridologists have rarely taken 

 that comprehensive view of the characters of feras which is requisite 

 for their classification in accordance with nature. It is well known that 

 feras, in common with other beings, whether animal or vegetable, 

 possess organs tending to two different purposes ; — the preservation 

 of the individual and the preservation of its kind : and these purposes, 

 though intimately connected, though the means of their attainment 

 Vol. II. 2 ^ 



