410 REVIEWS. [January, 



savants may be conceded. But what clouds of dust must these 

 wise men raise to blind the eyes of observers to facts which have 

 been accomplished in historic periods ! A muddle of learned lo- 

 cutions may envelope the transmigration of species during pre- 

 historic ages, but we want to clear up what has taken place in 

 the days of our progenitors, and almost under our very noses. 



How were the fens of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Essex, Kent, and 

 Sussex, furnished with their specific, peculiar vegetation — from 

 the bottom of the sea, of which they were part not many years 

 ago ; or from the adjoining hills of chalk, greensand, etc. ? 

 When were their plants first produced, and where did they exist 

 till the fresh water and marsh-lands were prepared for their pre- 

 sent habitation ? Was only one single plant created for their 

 supply, or were myriads produced? 



Where did the endemic (the peculiar) plants of the Azorean 

 Islands dwell ere there Avas land raised up from the deep chan- 

 nels of tlie Atlantic ? It may easily be g]'anted that they are ivise 

 men who can satisfactorily answer these difficult questions. It is 

 possible that both parties of the scientific are right in a measure, 

 and both wrong, when they generalize. The creation of indivi- 

 dual plants in prehistoric times may be sufficient to account for 

 some phenomena of vegetation, while different laws must be as- 

 sumed to explain the admitted existence of other facts. 



Do any of the learned claim the knowledge of the Most High ? 

 Did He consult them when He laid the foundation of the earth, 

 and caused grass to grow for cattle, and roots, herbs, and fruits, 

 for the service of mankind ? What is the sum, and what is the 

 real value of our knowledge about the origin of our earth, and 

 its multifarious productions ? The great poet calls him happy 

 who understands the causes of things: 



" Felix qui potmt rerum cognoscere causas." 

 " Fortunatus et ille qui novit Decs agrestes." 



" And happier he who worships Nature's God." 



How much of what is now dignified with the name of science 

 can be comprehended in Aristotle's definition of knowledge, viz. 

 that which is comprehensive, exact, and which could not be 

 otherwise ? 



If modern science, represented by the terms origin and distri- 

 buliou of plants, specific types, Germardc, Atlantic, Scottish 



