Senry Woodivard — Address to the Geologists' Association. 551 



Period, but most are no doubt due to the bipedal habit of our 

 Secondary reptiles — a peculiarity still maintained by the Australian 

 GUamydosaurus. 



A very exhaustive paper, " On the Mammalia of Europe at the 

 close of the Miocene Epoch," has appeared from the pen of Prof. 

 Albert Gaudry, which is well deserving the consideration of palaeon- 

 tologists. 



M. Gaudry is led, from his extensive studies of the fossil Mam- 

 malia, to conclude that, as the majority of allied species occurring 

 at different geological ages have a greater number of points of re- 

 semblance than of difference, it is more reasonable to derive the 

 later from the pre-existing species than to destroy the earlier in 

 order to replace them by the later. Species, according to his view, 

 have not a distinct origin, but are derivatives of the same type which 

 has undergone slight modifications. 



It is gratifying to find that the more advanced Naturalists in 

 France, of whom M. Gaudry is a type, are advocates of the Doctrine 

 of Descent with Modification. It is not so long since our distin- 

 guished fellow-countryman, Darwin, was strongly opposed when 

 recommended for the honour of admission to the Institute of France 

 on account of his holding the very views propounded by M. Gaudry. 



It cannot be doubted that the majority of Botanists and Zoologists 

 seem alike disposed to accept the Doctrine of Evolution and Descent 

 with Modification. There are still some scientific men, however, who 

 find the derivative origin of species by descent repugnant to their 

 ideas. For the opinions of such I have the greatest possible respect, 

 feeling sure that, up to a certain point, controversial opposition to 

 new theories has its beneficial aspect in ridding us of worthless 

 notions. But Darwin's theory has already passed through the fire 

 — like crude ore it has been washed, sifted, crushed, roasted, and 

 smelted, and at the end the pure metal remains. 



The only question is one of terms and names. Prof. Owen, who 

 is himself a most advanced Evolutionist, if we may be permitted to 

 judge of his views by his published works, prefers to hold the convic- 

 tion that all forms and grades of both vertebrate and invertebrate life 

 are due to " Secondary Cause or Law," not to "Natural Selection." 



Upon the nature of these very delicate and baffling distinctions I 

 feel myself quite unable to enter on the present occasion. 



To the earnest seeker after truth, it can never be an irreverent or 

 idle object to investigate the process by which life has been gradually 

 evolved on our earth ; when, however, we have learned all that is in 

 our power to discover, there is still the great problem of Life 

 itself unsolved, and we stand upon the threshold of the Infinite. 



I cannot believe that such inquiries, if honestly and earnestly 

 pursued, will ever lead the student into an unhealthy mental 

 atmosphere ; nor can it narrow or debase his mind to be brought 

 more intimately into contact with all that is grand and beautiful in 

 the natural world around him. 



Professor Asa Gray, whose excellent address I have already had 

 occasion to quote, truly observes — "Through what faults or infirmi- 



