Our Cinnamons. 67 



the sun, and which restricts species to species and 

 stamps sterility on every hybrid. If there be one thing 

 more certain than another, it is undoubtedly the fact 

 that there is no such thing to be found in nature as a 

 hybrid or mixed race springing up, and becoming a 

 permanent variety. Even in the case of man, with all 

 the arts and appliances of civilisation, and therefore with 

 the most favorable circumstances to aid him, it has 

 ever been found impossible. After a few generations 

 they either die out altogether, or the dominant race 

 regains its natural purity. How much less, then, can 

 we suppose such a thing to have taken place in the 

 case of the canary, delicate and tender as it is by nature, 

 and impossible as it is to further it by the aid of man. 

 No ; neither cross-breeding, nor food, nor climate, we 

 may rest assured, has the least influence in changing 

 a green bird into a white, a brown into a yellow, or a 

 chesnut to a grey, any more than it has in changing 

 spots into stripes, or stripes into spots. As yet, man is 

 ignorant of these mysterious changes, though in the 

 pride of his intellect he would fain ascribe a reason for 

 all he sees. This, however, seems to be beyond his 

 reach ; such knowledge is too high for him ; he cannot 

 attain unto it ; beyond the fact that so many different 

 varieties exist he positively knows nothing. It is a 

 sealed page in the book of nature, which he cannot 

 decipher or interpret. To those, therefore, who would 

 fain be wise above what is written, we would say " Stand 

 still, and consider the wondrous works of God." Yes, 

 we would ask all such in the sublime language of Holy 

 Writ " Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words 



