DISCI SSION OF THE SPECIES QUESTION. 



At the close of Mr. Cowles's paper the chairman in- 

 vited those present to discuss the question. The follow- 

 ing remarks were made: 



Mr. J. M. Coulter: I find myself in some particulars 

 agreeing with every speaker, and it seems to me that 

 there are enough elements in common in all that has been 

 said to enable us to reach some sort of working basis. 

 One thing agreed upon in all that has been said is that 

 nature makes individuals and men make species. This 

 means that in a certain large sense the individual is the 

 unit to be recognized. At the same time it is evident 

 that the attempt to record such units on the basis of any 

 present scheme is entirely out of the question. While 

 it is clear that we are approaching greater uniformity 

 in our conception of species, we shall not reach agree- 

 ment until we know more definitely the influence of 

 ecological and physiological factors, if we may separate 

 them for the moment, upon structures. But until this 

 knowledge becomes more exact, how shall records be 

 made.' We must have some temporary and effective 

 method. We all appear to recognize the fact that the 

 indefinite multiplication of names of species must be 

 stopped sooner or later, and the sooner the better; for 

 we are getting the record into a condition that makes it 

 unworkable. It seems to be the belief of every speaker 

 that something must be done, and that the conception of 

 a species must be modified eventually. It is quite evi- 

 dent that we are in no position as vet to formulate 

 definitely what we shall agree to call a species, and in 

 the meantime it seems to me the suggestion made by Dr. 

 Britton is a very workable one. It gives to every one 

 the opportunity to distinguish and record forms clear 

 down to individuals if he chooses ; and at the same time 



