252 THE REIGN OF LAW. 



species the bird from which it has been taken be- 

 longs. I mention this fact to show that what we 

 designate a Species has really distinctive and con- 

 stant characters ; and in the whole of my experi- 

 ence, with many thousands of Humming Birds 

 passing through my hands, I have never observed 

 an instance of any variation which would lead me 

 to suppose that it was the result of a union of two 

 species. I write this without bias, one way or the 

 other, as to the question of the Origin of Species. 

 I am desirous of representing Nature in her won- 

 derful ways as she presents herself to my attention 

 at the close of my work, after a period of twelve 

 years of incessant labour, and not less than twenty 

 years of interesting study."* 



If, therefore, new Species are born from the old, 

 it is not by accidental mixture ; it is not by the 

 mere nursingv of changes advantageous in the 

 battle of life ; it must be from the birth of some 

 one couple, male and female, whose organisation is 

 subjected to new conditions corresponding with 

 each other, and having such force of self-continu- 

 ance as to secure it against reversion. It matters 



* Gould's Trochilidffi, Introduction. 



