144 REV. JOHN GERARD, F.L.S., ON SPECIES AND THEJR ORIGIN. 
Two observations in particular made in the course of the 
discussion appear to me both interesting and suggestive. 
The first is that of the Chairman (p. 135) as to the unfailing 
recognition by dogs of specific identity in their own kind, in spite 
of all the bewildering: varieties which have been produced—a 
mastiff and a toy terrier equally accepting each other as indubitable 
dogs. This is certainly a very powerful argument for the reality 
of species. 
Still more important in the observation contributed by Mr. 
Sutton, that within his own experience no class of men are more 
fully impressed with the conviction that nature bears witness to the 
controlling influence of a supreme Power, to which like all else the 
distinctions of species must be referred—than are practical 
gardeners. Such an observation I take to be of great importance, 
as the evidence of those who habitually come into contact with 
living nature must always, I think, be entitled to much greater 
weight than that of those who know her chiefly through the 
observations of others, or as studied in museums and laboratories. 
