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one for cryptogams. Here we have two types separated by a vast amount of 
time—two separate creations ; and it may be asked, if there are two, why 
not a hundred? I would say a word as to the persistence of type, and 
another with regard to the persistence of species. In reference to the per- 
sistence of type, there is the small equisetum (£. sylvaticwm) occurring con- 
tiguous to or in the soil overlying the coal measures, and is found only in 
such localities, flowering in June and July. It is plentiful in the neighbour- 
hood of Manchester, where it may be found growing in the cloughs and valleys 
of the coal district. Then, as to the persistence of species, there is the Salix 
herbacea, which I first found on the summit of Snowdon, and afterwards, on 
a visit to the Lake District, upon the tops of Mount Skiddaw and Scawfell 
Pike, though I failed to find it on Helvellyn. All these ‘mountains are 
something over three thousand feet in height. It occurs to me that this 
plant is a survival from the glacial epoch, and that, as the temperature of the 
British Isles has increased, this little willow, which is the smallest known. 
species, and only attains a height of two or three inches, gradually found its 
way from the increasingly warm low ground until it is now isolated on the 
tops of the highest peaks. A reference is made towards the end of section 6 
of the paper to the Falkland Islands, which is specially interesting, as it is very 
likely a similar case to that which I have. noticed with regard to the Salix 
herbacea, the ranunculus form being found in the Falklands, whereas in the 
Brazils no species of that genus have been discovered ; and I may mention 
that, owing to the enormous preponderance of water in the southern hemi- 
sphere, in the temperature of the latitudes there, 40 degrees south represent 
50 degrees north. There is one question I should like to ask Mr. James ; 
and that is, what is his opinion as to the dispersion of plants, which he has 
not dealt with in this paper ?-—I know it is a very difficult subject to 
enter upon, but it is one which might have given rise to some interesting 
remarks by way of debate; whereas I venture to think that no one 
in this room could find a single subject of debate in this paper.—I 
should like to know his opinion on this matter, especially as I am not 
prepared to hold so dogmatic a belief on the question of dispersion from a 
single centre in regard to plant life as is the case in reference to the disper- 
sion of the human race. Darwin says that the same forms could not be pro- 
duced—or very probably would not be—by evolution from two different 
plants ; consequently I should like to know how Mr. James would presume 
the ranunculus appeared both in the Falkland and in the British Islands ? 
In conclusion, I may be allowed to add a few words to the quotation 
given by Mr. James from the book written by Dr. Heer, of Zurich :—* Let 
us still erect statues to men who have been useful to their fellow-creatures 
and have distinguished themselves by their genius, but let us not forget what 
we owe to Him who has placed marvels in each grain of sand, a world in 
every drop of water.” 
Mr. S. R. Parrison, F.G.S.—I am very glad that no occasion is offered 
for anything in the shape of criticism on this paper, the only ground for 
