28 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
Reference was also made to the view recently developed by 
r. Lotsy that crossing is the source of new species. Presum 
types ut it w rged, there is no estion that the 
new batch of segiot.} is more in accord with environment than are 
the parents, and ther ms no reason for their persistence. In 
place of slight faratioge of well-adapted organisms this theory 
suggests for the operations of Natural Selection an indiscriminate 
series of new forms. Is there evidence for the occurrence of these 
species 
A number of eminent botanists and zoologists took part in the 
debate which followed. Prof. Bateson reaffirmed his position, 
which was adversely criticised by various speakers, including 
Professors Dendy, a and Poulton, Dr. J. T. Cunningham, 
and the Chairman (Prof. Bower). 
P ower’s eacidoadead pe delivered in Sydney, gave 
a review of botanical exploration and work in Australia, with 
special reference to that of Banks, Robert Brown, Sir Joseph 
Hooker, Baron von Mueller, and Bentham, and also touched upon 
of British possessions, the speaker severely criticised the short- 
sighted policy which, in several instances, has led to the replace- 
ment of a botanist by an pepe eur ist. It was, he maintained, to 
= best interest of any State that can possibly afford to do so, to 
courage a central establishment for the pursuit of the pure 
ae of saa even though results of immediate practical use 
o not appear to be flowing from it at any given moment. In 
such matters, i. is nupoesibie » forecast “ will iy bi will 
not be eventually of practical use; and in any ca 
cational alas the purely Soe gpeee mee ‘will ae 
their important function of supplying that exact instruction 
without which none can pursue with full effect ascalling in the 
pe branches. 
Prof. Bower then aguaes to the Australian Pteridophyta, in 
whi a he himself wa specially interested. Three of the fou 
divisions of ae ceuae group are represented in the Australian 
lant 
