100 EXPLANATIONS. 



which fails in two such noted instances. Besides, 

 the difficulties which this great anatomist and 

 others have found in sanctioning the development 

 theory, chiefly rest in mistaken assumptions with 

 regard to the constitution of the animal kingdom. 

 It is impossible, as they say, to make out a genea- 

 logy in a line of orders ; but let a fresh natiu^alist, 

 of equal standing, judge of the theory, after he has 

 considered the animal kingdom in the arrange- 

 ment now suggested, and I feel assured that its 

 feasibility will receive a more favourable verdict. 



The reviewer, however, would not abate one jot 

 of his opinion, although Cuvier, Agassiz, and Owen 

 were all against him ! If such be the state of his 

 mind regarding Cuvier, with what face can he con- 

 demn St. Hilaire, who only does that towards the 

 dead lion which our critic would also do, sup- 

 posing the dead lion were equally opposed to his 

 opinion ? The grounds for this strong assiu-ance 

 are in personal and immediate observation of facts. 

 " We have examined," says he, " the old records 

 ... in the spots where nature placed them, and 

 we know their true historical meaning . . . We 

 have visited in succession the tombs and charnel- 

 houses of these old times, and we took with us the 

 clew spun in the fabric of development ; but we 



