1891.] Origin of the Galapagos Islands. 319 
are all black,—a peculiar fact, since this color is hardly ever 
seen in Ecuador. They live in the roughest fissures of the lava 
near the coast, hunting for crabs and fishes. Chickens are found 
on the highest most inaccessible regions of Charles. Also here 
a great field of research is open. 
But besides these questions of general interest, some special 
points could be studied. For instance, material could be collected 
for the embryology of the penguin, the frigate-bird, the albatross, 
the seals, the Iguanida, and the large myriapod Scolopendra. 
“The ground is classic ground,” says Mr. Salvin, “and the 
natural products of the Galapagos Islands will ever be appealed 
to by those occupied in investigating the’ complicated problems 
involved in the doctrine of the derivative origin of species.” 
But beside studies in nature, we need experiments ; biological 
experimental stations would be of an enormous help in the ques- 
tion of variagion. Our means of communication and transporta- 
tion are so highly developed to-day that it is easy to get animals 
and plants from very remote places in short time; by bringing 
these organisms in different conditions a great anes of very 
valuable experiments at least could be made. 
I will finish these considerations, which I hope will be taken 
for what they are, —ideas—not definite opinions,—with a word from 
Darwin, in a letter to M. Wagner: 
“In my opinion, the greatest error which I have committed has 
been not allowing sufficient weight to the direct action of the 
environment,—z. e., food, climate, etc. ,—independently of natural 
ection.” 
Clark University, Worcester, Mass., December 6th, 1890. 
Am. Nat.—April.—2, 
