50 ALEXANDER AGASSIZ 



Devonian, in all of which not a link is wanting, and let 

 him then see what he can say about the imperfection 

 of the record and the gradual transformation of one 

 species into another. 



What will be the first damning point and the one which 

 will be the most readily seen and understood by people 

 will be that of the geographical distribution of the dif- 

 ferent species of animals of the surface of the earth. The 

 magnificent collection of Echinoderms of our Museum 

 has been arranged with reference to this geograph- 

 ical distribution, and it has brought out many striking 

 features totally unexpected. As soon as we have the 

 maps made out I shall take great pleasure in forwarding 

 them to you. If there is anything in geographical distri- 

 bution, there is nothing in Darwin, and vice versa. The 

 one flatly contradicts the other. But have we arrived 

 at a stage in our knowledge where we can thus theo- 

 rize about the origin of species f We know so little of 

 the development, history, and geographical conditions 

 of our most common animals that it will be in vain for 

 us to philosophize without something to build upon. 



The principle of the coincidence of geological suc- 

 cession and of embryonic development, as well as of 

 complication (of structure), is by far a more suggestive 

 one than Darwin's theory, and when once on that track 

 will lead to more new views and ideas than was at first 

 expected. Let us wait patiently till we know something 

 more of the development and physical laws which affect 

 the animals now living before venturing on such a dark 

 subject. And as for me I am willing to be carried on 

 by the current of my investigations, whithersoever they 

 may lead, and to be satisfied with no theory, no wonder- 

 ful panaceas, until I can see something more substantial 



