403 



LECTURE XIV. 



Transmission of Cliaracters. — Natural Eaces. — Theory of Nathusius. — Ob- 

 jections to it. — Distinction between Eaces and Species. — Transformation 

 of Varieties into Eaces and real Sijecies. — Influence of Time. — Eaeeless 

 Animals. — Mongrels and Hybrids. — Their Propagation. — Wolf-Dogs. — 

 Buck-Sheep. — Eabbit-Hares. —Their Breeding.— Conclusions and Infer- 

 ences from the preceding facts. 



GrENTLEMEN — In discussing the questions concerning the 

 origin of the groups, races, and species composing the animal 

 creation, including man, the consideration of natural generation 

 always occupies the foreground. The existence of the whole 

 animal creation in its various forms and species, depends solely 

 on normal propagation, as the existence of every Kving being- 

 is limited by death. It is the more requisite to enter into 

 particulars regarding these questions, as the views on the 

 origin of mankind and animals, their affinity, descent, and 

 their transformation in the course of time, depend on the so- 

 lution of the above questions. 



There can be no doubt that both sexes, male and female, 

 co-operate in the generation of the higher animals, and that 

 the characters of the parents are transmitted to their offspring. 

 We have seen that the family forms the basis of the various 

 groups in the animal world, and just as every individual pos- 

 sesses some, though frequently insignificant peculiarities, which 

 impress upon him the stamp of individuality, so does the family 

 present special characters which enable the observer to trace 

 their origin. It has been said that the distinction of indivi- 

 duals extends only to domestic animals, that in other ani- 

 mals there exist no peculiarities by which we can distinguish 

 the individuals, and I have even lately seen some religious tracts 

 in which this assertion is used as a proof of the exceptional 

 position of man in creation. Every taxidermist at any museum 



