9 2 
The Australasian Scientific Magazine, [Oct. i, 1885. 
These questions of the features of the Papuan flora — so important for 
phyto-geography — will with other scientific problems likely be solved this 
year to some degree through the two expeditions, which just set out on 
their glorious errands, — the one under the command of Capt. Everill, 
R.N., and provided for by the Governments of New South Wales and 
Victoria ; the other under the leadership of Mr. H. O. Forbes; the former 
fitted out by the Geographic Society of Australia solely, the other by that 
society and several English scientific unions jointly. 
Melbourne, June 1SS5. 
NATURAL PROGRESSION. 
BY 
HEYKIM NABI COSMOS. 
When we see the surprising changes in the way of emigration, or even 
commerce, of only, say, one century, which have altered the natural 
aspects, and influenced the aborigines of New Zealand, Australia, and 
North America, how shall we estimate the results of four hundred years, 
and a tenfold tide of trade and commerce? When the Caucasian race, 
with their augmented energies, and higher conceptions of functional 
relations, have taken possession of all the favourable regions of the 
habitable globe, the aborigines must amalgamate with the more civilized 
and enlightened race, or become extinct, being' supplanted by the white 
offspring of a healthier, hardier, and superior development, and endowed 
with newer elasticity of mind and muscle. This sudden extinction of the 
weak, and the incessant advance of the strong, may appear to some a stern 
and harsh law, but such are the facts ; it is only a question of time, and of 
mental and material appliances. The whole history of the Old World is 
but a record of decline and progress- -the gradual extinction of the old and 
effete in our days — Turkey and Spain, for instance — and the gradual 
advancement of the young and vigorous. Nor does progress stop with the 
white race,— by virtue of the great law of Cosmical progress they will be 
superseded by higher varieties (which varieties probably exist elsewhere, or 
in coming ages will exist, as Locke and Bolingbroke express themselves) of 
created beings superior to man, and, as the poet writes — 
“ \\ hat vast infinitude of worlds may grace — 
What beings people the stupendous place.” 
