Ea ie eee 
Botany and Zoology. 435 
Singular as it may appear, we have heard it denied that spon 
varieties occur. DeCandolle makes the important announcement that, in 
the Oak genus, the best known species are just those which present the 
greatest number of spontaneous varieties and sub-varieties. The maxi- 
mum is found in Q. Robur, with twenty-eight varieties, all spontaneous, 
itation or limitation, but without appreciable change of specific form or 
character; that is, without profounder changes than those within which 
& Species at the present time is known to vary. Moreover, he is careful 
to state that he is far from concluding that the time of the appearance of. 
a spec Europe at all indicates the time of its origin. Looking back 
still further into the Tertiary epoch, of which the vegetable remains indi- 
with 
Seographical botany and zoology, of anatomical structure and cl 
contemplating the present state of the species of Cupulifere in 
and retreating, and this wholly 
irrespective of man’s agency. : This is inferred of the Turkey Oak from» 
are . 
the great gaps found in its present geographical area, whic r- 
Wise inexplicable, and which he regards as plain indications of a partial 
extinction. Community of descent of all the individuals of species is of 
_ Sourse implied in these and all similar reasonings. 
* 
