85 



states that " permanent differences cannot be referred to any one 

 of the actual courses of variation, and that these differences are 

 what constitute species;" in opposition to Lyell, who wrote that 

 it cannot be shown that a single permanent species has ever 

 been produced by hybridity ; hi opposition to Lawrence, who 

 says that " we must admit for all the species which we know at 

 present a distinct origin and common date ;" and in opposition to 

 Cuvier, who declares that there is no difference whatever 

 between the remains of animals embalmed in Egypt of old and 

 those of the u present day." I don't think so. 



I believe that Sir Charles Lyell was utterly wrong when he 

 wrote that "species have a real existence in nature, and that each 

 was endowed at the time of its creation with the attributes and 

 organisation by which it is now distinguished." 



I believe that I may manipulate the word "species" as I like, 

 and that I can play fast and loose with it as I please ; that I can 

 make use of it or discard it as it suits my purpose, and make the 

 most of the differences between some naturalists as to whether 

 certain supposed specias are really species or only varieties. 

 Whether in any such case it is "much of a muchness," or a 

 " distinction without a difference," is all one and the same. 

 " How happy can I be with either ! " 



I believe that inasmuch as in very many cases one form is 

 marked as a variety of another, though in the absence of the 

 intermediate links, on the ground that an analogy which may 

 be supposed to exist somewhere, " may formerly have existed," 

 therefore I may open the door of my fanciful imagination as wide 

 as I please. 



I believe that, during " vast, yet unknown, periods of time, 

 the world swarmed with living creatures," of which not a vestige 

 or trace is to be found. " I believe this to be indisputable," 

 though, as I have just said, u quite unknown," but I can never 

 allow an opponent to argue anything from conjecture ; certainly 

 not. Thai prerogative is for myself alone : Cadit questio. 



I believe that it is, perhaps, impossible to bring forward one 

 single case of the hybrid offspring of two animals clearly distinct, 

 being itself perfectly fertile. 



