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between the fossil and the existing ferns, and I can testify to the accuracy 

 of the child's statement. The portion of the coal measures with which I 

 used to have acquaintance was in South Wales, and I hare only spoken of 

 what I have myself seen. I never made a collection of the fossil ferns, 

 but they were very familiar to me as a boy, and I remember that there was 

 a district in which the shale was very brittle, and we used in walking 

 about to break a great many pieces, and expose the beautiful impressions, 

 which, however, were too fragile to bear handling, and so were lost With 

 regard to the theory of descent, I would only say that what I contend 

 against is the doctrine advocated by Haeckel, that we must assume that all 

 animals and plants have been lineally derived from their lowest forms. 

 Haeckel and others have attempted to draw up a genealogical scheme for the 

 vegetable as well as for the animal kingdom, beginning in the former with 

 the lowest algae, or oscillatoriaceae, now found in the hot springs. Of course, 

 when we see what tremendous gaps there are in this genealogical system, 

 we are satisfied at once as to the impossibility of making it complete, and 

 all wiser botanists have given up the attempt. In a modified form, perhaps, 

 many have held Evolution to be just possible. We might, perhaps, imagine 

 the creation of a form from which, as a generic type, species may have been 

 produced by modification ; but, after all, it is but a guess, and there can be 

 no doubt that there are forcible arguments, especially those derived from the 

 coal formation, against any theory of descent. The evolutionists know very 

 well that this is about the strongest point against their doctrine that can be 

 adduced, and it does not require much ability to put it clearly. (Applause.) 

 The meeting was then adjourned. 



WYMiS ATD SO1CS, PBIXTKBS, 6MAT QUMW STKXBT, LINCOLX'S Hf ir.JIKLDB, W.C. 

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