i88q.] On Variation. 1073 
the two Dromios as twins were as " like as two peas that grew 
in one pod," there are never two persons alike in all particulars. 
The fact of individual variation is especially insisted upon by 
Darwin, who, in fact, bases his theory of the origin of species 
upon their presence. In short, variation has been, and is, so 
generally acknowledged, that it seems almost superfluous to dwell 
upon it; but as it bears so strongly upon the facts to which I 
wish to call attention, I shall devote some space to its considera- 
tion. 
It has been the fate of every naturalist who has given his time 
and attention to some special branch of natural science to become 
one of two things, or perhaps be one and then the other. He is 
either inclined to multiply species, or to suppress them and ac- 
knowledge only a few widely variable forms. Darwin has re- 
corded his experience with stock breeders, and pigeon, duck, 
poultry and rabbit fanciers, and he states that all of these are fully 
convinced that each main breed is descended from a distinct 
species. He refers also to a treatise upon pears and apples, the 
author of which distinctly shows his disbelief that two varieties 
of apples could have originated from seeds produced by the same 
tree. He goes on to say: "The explanation, I think, is simple ; 
from long continued study they are strongly impressed with the 
differences between the several races : and though they well know 
that each race varies slightly, for they win their prizes by select- 
ing slight differences, yet they ignore all general arguments, and 
refuse to sum up in their minds slight differences accumulated 
during many successive generations." 
The same idea is expressed later on where the remark is made : 
" When a young naturalist commences the study of a group of 
organisms quite unknown to him, he is at first much perple.xed 
in determining what differences to consider as specific, and what 
as varietal ; for he knows nothing of the amount and kind of 
variation to which the group 'is subject ; and this shows, at least, 
how very generally there is some variation. But if he confines 
his attention to one class within one country he will soon make 
up his mind how to rank most of the doubtful forms. His gen- 
eral tendency will be to make many species, for he will become 
