100 
Mr, Carlisle's Account of a Family 
of gold and silver fishes are carefully propagated, and with 
us, what are vulgarly called “ fancy pigeons” are bred into 
most whimsical deviations from their parent stock. 
As wild animals and plants are not liable to the same varia- 
tions, and as all the variations seem to increase with the degree 
of artificial restraint imposed, and as certain animals become 
adapted by extraordinary changes to extraordinary conditions. 
It may still be expected that some leading fact will eventually 
furnish a clue, by which organic varieties may be better ex- 
plained. A few generations of wild rabbits, or of pheasants 
under the influences of confinement, break their natural co- 
lours, and leave the fur and feathers of their future progeny 
uncertainly variegated. The very remarkable changes of the 
colour of the fur of the hare, and the feathers of the partridge 
in high northern latitudes, during the prevalence of the snow, 
and the adaptation of that change of colour to their better 
security, are coincidences out of the course of chance, and not 
easily explained by our present state of physical knowledge. 
I have the honour to be. Dear Sir, 
your much obliged and obedient servant. 
To the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. 
K. B. P, R, S. &c. 
ANTHONY CARLISLE. 
