652 MR. W. H. NE\LG ON THE NATURAL [Nov. 14 



explained by a mere reference to the great range of specific variability 

 which, as we now know, obtains in the Comatulidse. What may be 

 ignorance or prejudice on the part of a naturalist is, if it be possible, 

 to be kept out of the systematic register; and I content myself 

 therefore with expressing an opinion without letting it appear in the 

 technical title of the species. 



A case of this kind forces on one's mind a reconsideration of the 

 doctrines of a polyphyletic and a monophyletic origin of species, 

 and, as Semper' has distinctly shown, of the further question of the 

 difference between the real or objective, as opposed to the systematic 

 or subjective view of what constitutes a species — a difference, which 

 may perhaps be put in other words, as that which obtains between 

 a Linuean and a genetic conception of specific relationship. That 

 the Antedon eschrichti of Greenland and the A. eschrichti, var. 

 magellanica, ever had a common ancestor belonging to the species 

 A. eschrichti seems to me barely credible. All, at any rate, that I 

 mean in now placing the Magellan form in the same species as 

 A. eschrichti is that, looking to those structural characters by 

 which naturalists distinguish species from one another, I cannot find 

 enough to justify me in forming a " new species." But I would not 

 like to be thought to have failed to recognize that in the discrimi- 

 nation of the homogenetic and the homoplastic factors of species, we 

 have at present no criterion other than what even a friendly critic 

 might call our ignorance. Chorology and Palaeontology will have 

 to do for species what Comparison and Embryology are doing for 

 organs. 



6. Notes on the Natural History of Franz-Josef Land as 

 observed in 1881-82. By W. H. Neale, M.B., Medical 

 Officer of the ' Eira' Expedition. (Communicated by 

 Prof. Newton.) 



[Received October 25, 1882.] 



On July 25th, 1881, the 'Eira' expedition reached Gray Bay, 

 Franz-Josef Land. At Cape Crowther and Cape Grant there are 

 large loomeries ; a short distance up the bay, on the west side, 

 many Rotges had their young among the basaltic columns of the 

 lofty cliffs. On the east side, near the head of Gray Bay, there were 

 a good number of Snow-birds and Dovekies building, but too high 

 for any one to climb and obtain the eggs. 



At Cape Stephen there was a large loomery ; and at Cape Forbes 

 there were a few Looms, a good number of Rotges and Dovekies, and 

 some Snow-birds. 



At Bell Island the same species were also seen ; and on the south 

 side there was a large loomery, and a great number of Kittiwakes' 

 nests, also Dovekies, Rotges, Snow-birds, and Burgomasters. Raiu- 



1 ' Animal Life,' p. 462. 



