376 Thoughts an, Species, 



fore the power and energy of higher intelligence. They- disap- 

 pear like plants beneath those of stronger root and growth, being 

 depressed morally, intellectually and physically, contaminated by 

 new vices, tainted variously by foreign disease, and dwindled in 

 all their hopes and aims and means of progress, through an 

 overshadowing race. 



We have therefore reason to believe from man's fertile inter- 

 mixture, that he is one in species ; and that all organic species 

 are divine appointments which, cannot be obliterated, unless by 

 annihilating the individuals representing the species. 



It may be said, that different species in the inorganic world 

 combine so as to form new units, and why may they not in the 

 organic ? It is true they combine, but not by indefinite blend- 

 ings. There is a definite law of multiples, and this is the central 

 idea in the system of inorganic nature. In organic nature, such, 

 a law of multiples, if existing, would be general, as in the inor- 

 ganic ; it would be an essential part of the system and should 

 be easily verified, while, in fact, observation lends it no support, 

 not even enough to have suggested the hypothesis. 



In one kingdom, the inorganic^ there is multiplication of kinds 

 of units by combination, according to the law of multiples, and no 

 reproduction ; while in the organic^ there is reproduction of like 

 from like and no multiplication of kinds by combination. And 

 tbus the two departments of living and dead nature widely diverge. 



Neither does the possibility of mere mixture among inorganic 

 subtances afford any analogy to sustain the idea of possible 

 hybrid mixture indefinitely perpetuated, among living beings. 

 The mechanical aggregation of units that make up ordinary mix- 

 ture, is one thing ; and the combination that would alter a germ? 

 one of the units in organic species, even to its fundamental na- 

 ture, is quite another. This last is not aggregation. It is as 

 different from mere mixture as his chemical combination and 

 stands somewhat in the same relation, so that the analogy has no 

 bearing on the question. 



3. Variations of species. 



But there are variations in species, and this is our next topic. 

 The principles already considered teach, as we believe, that each 

 species has its specific value as a unit, which is essentially per- 

 manent or indestructible by any natural source of change ? and 

 we have, therefore, to admit in the outset, if these principles are 

 true, that variations have their limits, and cannot extend to the 

 obliteration of the fundamental characteristics of a species. 



