264 



-REV. PROF. G. HENSLOW^ M.A., F.L.S., 



stamens, yielded larger, stronger flowers than the stigmas of high 

 styles fertilized from high stamens, and of course than short forms 

 interbred. 



This fact shows that the tendency of a species is to maintain an 

 average type, and not to branch off into permanent exaggerated or 

 stunted varieties. 



Mr. David Howard said : AVhen we use the word evolution it 

 is most important to be sure what we mean. Darwin was 

 understood — rightly or wrongly — to teach that evolution was the 

 result of accident ; but if evolution is the result of law, or, as this 

 most interesting paper suggests, of an adaptive power inherent in 

 life, we may well argue that a law involves a lawgiver and that 

 the power of adaptation in living tissue is a form of creative energy 

 that requires a Creator to explain it. 



The illustrations of this adaptive power are most interesting, and 

 throw great light on many points in a most complex question. I am 

 not a botanist, but I have had to study the formation of medicinal 

 substances in plants. A very difficult problem — why do only a 

 few species of cinchonse contain quinine ^ What benefit does it 

 serve in the life of the tree ? Seeds grown in England in hothouses 

 grow into healthy plants, the bark of which contains but little 

 quinine, cuttings from these taken to the Nilghiris give trees 

 with a rich yield. By careful selection and suitable environment 

 bark is obtained giving over ten per cent, of the dry weight, but 

 the quinine, much or little, does not seem to afiect the health of 

 the tree. 



Mr. S. COLLETT said: Mr. Chairman, before making a brief 

 comment upon Professor Henslow's paper, I should like, if it is not 

 out of order, to propose that a message of sympathy be sent from 

 this Meeting to our friend Lieut.-Col. Mackinlay, who, since his 

 lecture before this Institute only a month ago, has undergone a very 

 serious operation, from which, for some time, his life was almost 

 despaired of. He is now, it is hoped, slowly recovering. And, 

 although the Committee have doubtless sent a communication to 

 him from themselves, I think it would be nice if a message of loving 

 sympathy were sent him from this Meeting. 



As to the paper before us, I am sure we must all feel that from 

 many points of view it is a most masterly and interesting lecture. 

 The only point, however, to which I wish to call brief attention is 



