508 



^Tmiversary Meeting. 



[Nov. 30, 



parts, and the light thrown upon the structure and relations of the 

 animals. 



, In other departments of zoology Mr. Darwin's labours, though not 

 given in the same complete form as in the Monographs, have been 

 numerous and important. They are distinguished by the same extent 

 and variety of knowledge, the same scrupulous fidelity, accuracy, and 

 minuteness of observation, and by the sagacity with which the most 

 important generalizations have been drawn. Amongst these contribu- 

 tions should more especially be noticed the observations on the distri- 

 bution and habits of the animals described in the ' Zoology of the Voyage 

 of the Beagle,' and in the ^ Journal of E-esearches ' in the course of that 

 voyage, in which most interesting and justly popular work we find first 

 distinctly enunciated the important "law of the succession of Types," 

 or the law that existing animals have a close relation with the extinct 

 species found in the same regions. Nor, amongst the many other 

 weighty and interesting remarks contained in this volume, should notice 

 be omitted of those which have reference to the common assumption 

 that the presence of the remains of large animals necessarily implies 

 that the country inhabited by them must have possessed a luxuriant 

 vegetation. The fallacy of this assumption is plainly shown by Mr. 

 Darwin, and the importance of his correction of a prevalent error of 

 this kind can hardly be overrated. 



In his most recent work ' On the Origin of Species,' although opinions 

 may be divided or undecided with respect to its merits in some respects, 

 all will allow that it contains a mass of observation bearing upon the 

 habits, structure, affinities, and distribution of animals, perhaps unri- 

 valled for interest, minuteness, and patience of observation. Some 

 amongst us may perhaps incline to accept the theory indicated by the 

 title of this work, while others may perhaps incline to refuse, or at least 

 to remit it to a future time, when increased knowledge shall afford 

 stronger grounds for its ultimate acceptance or rejection. Speaking 

 generally and collectively, we have not included it in our award. This 

 on the one hand ; on the other hand, I believe that, both collectively 

 and individually, we agree in regarding every real hondjide inquiry into 

 the truths of nature as in itself essentially legitimate ; and we also know 

 that in the history of science it has happened more than once that 

 hypotheses or theories, which have afterwards been found true or untrue, 

 being entertained by men of powerful minds, have stimulated them to 

 explore new paths of research, from which, to whatever issue they may 

 ultimately have conducted, the explorer has meanwhile brought back 

 rich and fresh spoils of knowledge. 



Botanical JBhysiology. — Mr. Darwin's first botanical work, * On the 

 various contrivances by which British or Poreign Orchids are fertilized 

 by Insects, and on the eff'ects of Intercrossing,' marks an epoch in the 

 history of physiological botany, and taken in aU its bearings, is perhaps 



