EE VIEWS. 
407 
* * * " With regard to distribution * * * from the beginninf? different 
regions have been peopled, partly by identical, and partly by representative 
species." 
Admitting that external conditions have never been uniform, Mr. Page goes on 
ioi]iQ introduction of new life-forms. Here the question naturally arises, as each 
geological epoch is characterized by its own peculiar plants and animals, 
" Whether there are independant creations, or whether there is in nature some 
law of development by which, during the lapse of ages, and under the change 
of physical conditions, the lower may not be developed into the higher species, 
the simpler into the more complex ?" Mr. Pa^e thinks " geology is not in a 
position to solve the problem of vital gradation and progress." We think 
differently from that gentleman, at least to this extent, that geology has already 
collected considerable materials indicating the reply which, to our minds, un- 
doubtedly it ultimately will give. Of course it is a delicate point to deal with, 
and the highway here is a far easier road than the faintly -tracked path we might 
be inclined to pursue. We do not hint even that Mr. Page is not sincere in 
what he writes, but his logic is not quite as good on this topic as it might be. 
Why we do not pretend to say, but certain it is that modern geologists do not 
always — cannot, or will not, perhaps — write logically. Perhaps they think one 
way and write the other in deference to popular opinion ; if so, we are not 
surprised at their logic being bad ; but whatever the cause, as a rule they are 
eminently not good logicians. We do not understand how Mr. Page can 
logically insist on "new creations" of organized forms on one page, and on the 
opposite repudiate the terms " extinction" and " creation" as applied to the 
races of organic beings of geological periods. " We must not," he tells us, 
" fall into the common but mistaken notion that the flora and fauna of one 
period were utterly extinguished before the commencement of the next. There 
are no such extinctions and re-creations in nature." 
These reflections lead our author to the " Development Hypothesis," which 
in this present review is a subject that we will leave alone. As we will also 
the " acceptance of vital hypothesis." The pages, however, which we skip 
may be read with profit and interest. We pass over also the "Advent 
of Man," as the details of flint-implements and other items of this 
topic have been, and are being, fully dealt with in the pages of this magazine. 
Neither will we go into other questions which Mr. Page eloquently discusses 
— " Time Geological," " Course of Creation," " Creation still in Progress," 
"Duration of Species," "Term of the Human Race," "Influence of Man on 
the Future," "Progression or Succession," although we give their titles to 
show what interesting subjects he has selected, but we pass at once to the last 
of his work before he writes its conclusion — "Onward and Upward," and in 
the sentiment of which we fully concur. 
" Ignorant of the teachings of geology and the great progression it unfolds, 
mankind have hitherto regarded the scheme of life as culminating and termi- 
nating with their own race. All or nearly all the hopes that give colouring to 
their thoughts and direction to their actions proceed from this belief, though 
iu strictest science the belief itself rests on no logical foundation. It is true, 
one of our highest biological authorities (Professor Agassiz) ' thinks it can be 
shown by anatomical evidence, that man is not only the last and highest among 
the living beings of the present period, but that he is the last term of a series, 
beyond which there is no material progress possible in accordance with the 
plan upon which the whole animal kingdom is constructed ; and that the only 
improvement we can look for upon earth for the future, must consist in the 
development of man's intellectual and moral faculties.' This, however, is a 
mere plausible assertion ; the ' anatomical evidence' is not produced ; and every 
one cognisant of the history of man knows that intellectual and moral deve- 
