432 Proceedings. 
Can the explanation of such close specific resemblance not be found, in 
many instances at least, in the adoption of more simple natural causes, such as 
the transport by icebergs or on floating islands, by birds, etc., and of which 
Sir Charles Lyell, in his great work, the “ Principles of Geology," gives many 
striking instances? However, where the theory of land connection is not 
admissible and where also others, which have hitherto been applied, fail, 
might we not assume that similar climatic and other physical conditions 
could produce similar specific characters under the great law of evolution? 
It is a most difficult problem to say what constitutes a species, and therefore 
might it not be safer to believe, until the impossibility of such an hypothesis has 
been demonstrated satisfactorily, that there exists a similitude as well as an 
identity of species under certain given conditions ? 
In one word, might we not throw out the conjecture that in two more or 
less distant countries, which never were directly united, some forms of organie 
life can and do exist, which show what to us appear identical specific 
characters, because the cause or causes of their evolution were identical or 
nearly identical and thus a considerable number of supposed changes in the 
level of many countries, of which we do not find geological records, can be 
dispensed with? It is true that instances to be explained by the migration or 
accident theories are of more frequent occurrence and more easily proved, but 
I think it would be just as interesting, where these cannot be admitted, to 
trace in all its bearings the similitude of species in distant countries. This 
view would at least open up a field of fresh research, and afford a new 
illustration and confirmation of the great theory of evolution. 
Some discussion then took place on the address. 
Mr. Maskell stated that he had undertaken on behalf of the society to 
write a history of Canterbury, but he had since come to the determination to 
give up the task, inasmuch as the Province was yet too young to permit of 
anything but a history of dry details being written. 
