/ 
652 MR. W. H. NEALE 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 Comatulide. 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 Linnean and a genetic conception of specific relationship. That 
the Antedon eschrichti of Greenland and the <A. eschrichti, var. 
magellanica, ever hada 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 Paleontology 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. Neatez, M.B., Medical 
Officer of the ‘Hira’ Expedition. (Communicated by 
Prof. Nrewron.) 
[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. Rain- 
1 « Animal Life, p, 462, 
