348 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [Junc 4, 



1. On the Disputed Affinity of the Mammalian Genus Plagiaulax, 

 from the Puebeck Beds. By Hugh Falconer, M.D., P.R.S., 

 F.G.S., &c. 



One of the most accurate observers and original thinkers of our 

 time has discoursed with emphatic eloquence on the imperfection of 

 the geological record*. Besides what is yet to be discovered, so 

 much has been irrecoverably lost that we may never hope to write 

 more than disconnected pages of the palaeo-biography of nature. The 

 truth of the assertion comes home to the conviction of all ; but so 

 far from discouraging, it only renders us the more eager to pursue 

 what we may attain. Every now and then, in palseontology, an 

 unknown form is discovered of so unexpected a character, that our 

 habitual train of ideas is diverted by it into a new avenue of thought. 

 It may confirm a position which has before been merely conjectural, 

 or but faintly shadowed out ; or it may shake the foundations of some 

 cherished, but unsound, hj^othesis. It is hailed with more especial 

 satisfaction if it contribute to fill up any of the great gaps in our 

 existing knowledge. The form itself is often presented to the first 

 observer in such a mutilated or imperfect aspect, that at the best he 

 can effect little beyond an approximative idea of the outline. Prom 

 the same cause, or from a balanced conjunction of unusual charac- 

 ters, he may fail in his first attempt at the interpretation ; but he 

 has no reason to be ashamed of the failure, if he has devoted his 

 powers fairly to the investigation ; for a great part of the solid 

 progress made in science is mainly effected by the later observer 

 correcting the errors of those who have preceded him. Reproach 

 can only be felt when we allow some bias unduly to influence our 

 interpretation—when we strain facts to countenance a particular 

 view. If the observer has guarded himself against this weakness, 

 and with care used the proper means of investigation, whatever op- 

 position his results may at first encounter, generally speaking, he 

 may be at ease, in the assurance, that further research and future 

 discovery will only confirm and extend them. If the conclusions 

 are challenged, science is invariably benefited by the controversy. 

 Different modes of analysis and different trains of ideas are brought 

 into conflict ; and landmarks are established for the warning and 

 guidance of future observers. 



Among the mammalian forms brought to light through Mr. Beckles's 

 important researches in the Purbeck Beds, there was one which struck 

 me with especial interest. I found in it a singular combination of 

 characters :— the dentition modified by suppression to as great an ex- 

 tent as in any existing form; strong analogies, in some respects, 

 with known genera, while in others it diverged from them very 

 widely. Early in 1857 I communicated to the Geological Society 

 an account of the genus Plagiaulax, which appeared in the 

 13th volume of the ' Quarterly Journal' (p. 261). About the same 

 time an abridged description of the form, illustrated by figures, 

 was brought out in the Supplement to the 5th edition of Sir 



* Darwin, ' On the Origin of Species,' p. 287. 



