TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 143 



tion two organisms, originally descending from the same form, could be made to 

 differ so much, that if they were found as fossLls they would undoubtedly be classed 

 as distinct species ; and, therefore, how a morphological species coidd be produced. 

 But his experiments had failed to show how a physiological species coidd be 

 produced; for no one could show that two varieties from the same form could be 

 made to differ so much that they would possess the quality of infertility. This 

 was too often forgotten by objectors. The Egyptian scidptm-es were pointed to to 

 prove that dm-ino- 3000 years the causes looked to by Darwin had done nothing to 

 alter the form of animals. But what woidd be said to him who, by discoverino- 

 that 3000 years ago Mont Blanc was of the same altitude as now, should thinE 

 that he had thus disposed of the theories of modern geology, that the stupendous 

 peaks of Switzerland were lifted from then ocean bed, and that every change on 

 the sm-face of the earth had been produced by an indefinite continuation of physi- 

 cal causes which are in ceaseless operation ? Mr. Darwin admitted that o-eology 

 did not show that in animal life there had been those transitional linSs tliat 

 ought to exist according to his theory, and according to any other of gradual 

 ti-ansmutation. He (the author) could not see that this theory detracted one iota 

 from any of the attiibutes of the Creator. If we suppose that the inti-oduction 

 of every new species required a distinctive act of creative will, then, of course, 

 the Creator must have intei-posed every time a new species was introduced. But, 

 if we supposed that every living organism has descended fi-om those fonus in which 

 life was first placed upon this planet, it does not in the slightest degTee dispense 

 vdth the necessity of supposing that life coidd only first be so placed by the act of 

 Onmipotent Creative Wdl. It was a favom-ite illustration in religious works, the 

 discovery of Newton which explains how planetaiy motions are produced ; and 

 he (Mr. Fawcett) believed that if ever the day came when the origin of species 

 should be explained in fidness and simplicitj^, he who so explained it would be 

 considered not only to have advanced science, but to have conferred a benefit upon 

 religion. The attackers of Darwin forget that he has not attempted to displace a 

 theoi-y received as right, but merely to throw some light where all before was dark. 

 We shoidd, therefore, be all the more ready to welcome the conscientious labom-a 

 of one who like Mr. Darwin had imremittingly devoted himself to explain to some 

 extent what had been aptly tenned the "mystery of mj'steries." 



On the Arrest ofPuparial Metamorphosis o/ Vanessa Antiopa or Camhenvell 

 Beauty. By George D. Gibb, M.B., M.A., F.O.S. 



After making a few remarks upon defomiities and an-est of development amongst 

 the insect tribe, the author proceeded to describe some examples occmTuio- in the 

 Vanessa Antiopa, which were exhibited to the Section. Of twenty-eight specimens 

 which he had obtained in the month of Jidy, all underwent complete metamor- 

 phosis, with three exceptions. These to some extent illustrated the prooress of 

 the process of emersion of the imago from the pupa-case. ° 



In the first specimen, the first stage of emersion was accomplished, i. e. a part 

 of the wings had protruded from each lateral fissure throughout its whole lenoih 

 to the extent of ^Vths of an inch, permittmg a view of the anterior part of the 

 thorax. Metamorphosis then became an-ested, and existence terminated. 



In the second example emersion was more advanced ; the left wings had emerged 

 a J of an inch only, whilst the right almost wholly protruded, but remained in 

 contact with one another. The puparial case is on the point of freedom, and the 

 lower part of its abdominal segment is empty. Here further metamorphosis 

 became arrested, and life ceased. 



In the third, emersion was complete ; metamorphosis, however, was not so, and 

 it was associated with malformation. The right anterior wing was fidly expanded 

 whilst the posterior was cnimpled up. The left anterior vdng was almost wholly 

 wanting ; a mere rudimentary appendage existed two lines long. The left posterior 

 win^ was only partly expanded posteriorly, the remainder being crumpled up. 



The author entered into the probable causes of these aiTests of change and deve-» 

 lopment, and believed that they did not depend upon injury, fi-om the care taken 

 when the chrysalides were first collected. 



