224 jouknal Br a, s. (oeylon)* ["Vol Y1L, Pi III, 



in itself may be considered as a means of classification, if such 

 there be. Unfortunately, I have not had the good fortune to 

 be able to examine the plumage of birds from other countries, 

 more especially those from the colder climates of the extreme 

 north which would give evidence either in support, or to the 

 contrary of my theory. For the present, I venture the subject 

 more as a question, than as an established fact, though the 

 evidence from local examples tends greatly to prove the force of 

 my theory. 



Climatic effects may probably bear with more or less weight 

 upon the point, but I find the conclusion is still irresistible that 

 each existing form can be traced to a higher, which we may call 

 the aboriginal parent, and its necessity is just the same, in a 

 larger measure, as that which supplies the present sub-web-shaft. 

 Where warmth is unnecessary, then sub-web-shafts do not 

 exist, as for instance in the tail feathers, or feathers beyond the 

 body, and by analogy, where greater warmth is required, then 

 the additional process would exist, which through non-necessity 

 is now reduced to a simple, or at most a spinous joint. 



