284 Prof. Gray's Address before the 
have none. The redwood—including in that name the two 
species of “ big trees”—belongs to the general cypress family, 
but is sud generis. Thus isolated systematically, and extremely 
isolated geographically, and so wonderful in size and port, they 
more than other trees suggest questions. 
Were they created, thus local and lonely, denizens of Cali- 
fornia only; one in limited numbers in a few choice spots on 
the Sierra Nevada, the other along the Coast Range from the 
Bay of Monterey to the frontiers of Oregon? Are they veri 
table Melchisedecs, without pedigree or early relationship, and 
possibly fated to be without descent? — 
r are they now coming upon the stage (or rather were they 
coming but for man’s interference) to play a part in the future? 
Or are they remnants, sole and scanty survivors of a race that 
“to the manor born,” but are self-invited intruders, we mu 
needs abandon the notion of any primordial and absolute adap- 
tation of plants and animals to their habitats which may stand : 
in lieu of explanation, and so preclude our inquiring any fo 
