378 THE ZO0O0OLOGIST. 
theories, that purely zoological suppositions are often the fore- 
runners of original experiment and the discharge of a battery of 
new or little-known facts. In this way the opponents of evolution 
have been of the greatest service to the cause. They have acted 
as deterrents to too hasty generalizations; by their contentions 
a greater precision in the argument has been attained; while the 
facts adduced as weapons in their controversy have not only 
often proved new, but actually supportive of the cause attacked, 
and have not infrequently become honoured inmates of the evolu- 
tionary armoury. 
Much biological controversy is only of a more or less forensic 
character. It has often occurred to the writer that considerable 
interest would attach to biological briefs being drawn up by 
different theorists, and the same handed to eminent Queen’s 
Counsel to be made much, or little of, as ingenious argument 
could bolster up or destroy. Dean Buckland, as related by his 
son, once placed the evidence for the former existence of hyenas 
in England before ‘‘ one of the most learned judges in the land,” 
with the further argument of their equally rapacious and ravenous 
character. And now, said the Dean, ‘‘what do you think of 
that, my lord?” Such facts, replied the Judge, “brought as 
evidence against a man, would be sufficient to convict and even 
hang him.”* Judicial consideration would be most beneficial in 
many biological theories, where the facts are strong but the 
argument weak, or, as is not altogether unusual, the strength of 
the advocacy is in an inverse ratio to that of the evidence. 
There is also a danger, now that we have entered so many of 
nature’s portals, in believing that our present keys will open all 
locks, and that our explanations of many problems in animal 
colouration are sufficient for universal application. It seems 
more probable, however, that we have captured many outworks, 
and threatened the citadel, but certainly not secured it, and under 
these circumstances one may offer some suggestions and indulge 
in some criticism, as at a council of war, without being proclaimed 
a deserter from evolutionary principles, or an enemy to advanced 
ideas of natural selection. 
How far have we at present accounted for the varied animal 
colouration which we see around us? the glory of our cabinet- 
* ‘Curiosities of Nat, Hist.,’ Pop. Edit., 2nd ser., p. 53, 
