EE VIEWS. 
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chapters on the structure, characters, and geological relation^ of fossils are 
exceedingly good, and are accompanied by diagrams, on the curve plan, which 
indicate the distribution of fossils through time and space. To these latter we 
would particularly direct the attention of teachers of geology. There is only 
one part of Dr. Haughton’s manual against which we would raise our voice, 
and that is the final chapter, in which he rather summarily disposes of Mr. 
Darwin’s theory. Professor Haughton has all along been an anti-Darwinian, 
and one too of a formidable character ; but we do not think that in his present 
attack upon the theory of “ natural selection ” he has been very fortunate. 
He attributes to the theory the assumption of a mode of causation which its 
advocates do not adopt for it, and then he proceeds to demolish it by an illus- 
tration which we think can be made to tell in favour of Mr. Darwin’s views. 
We almost hesitate to say it, but we do think Mr. Haughton has not stated 
the Darwinian theory fairly : he seems to think that the belief of Darwinians 
is, that one series of animal is the cause of a second series, because the 
second succeeds the first. We admit that such an induction would be both 
shallow and impeachable ; but we do not think it is that of the Darwinians. 
They believe that alterations in the great physical operations of the universe, 
co-operating with certain physiological laws, have produced the several kinds 
of animals and plants we see upon our globe. Professor Haughton imagining 
that they regard succession and causation as almost equivalent terms, shows 
that to argue that that which precedes, causes, is illogical. “We know,” he 
says, “ that winter precedes spring, spring precedes summer, and summer 
autumn ; but no person would say that winter is the cause of spring, spring 
the cause of summer, and so on.” What is here alleged is undeniably true, 
and forms an admirable analogy by which to illustrate Darwinian views. 
Winter, spring, and autumn are names given to those distinct conditions of the 
atmosphere which have followed each other in succession as the expression of as 
many changes in astronomical operations. If the relation of our planet to 
the sun were gradually or suddenly to undergo an alteration, so would the 
seasons. Just in a similar manner with organic existence ; it too is but a 
collection of phenomena dependent upon the ordinary physical conditions, such 
as those of the air, food, temperature, climate, &c., for their manifestation. As 
the conditions alter, so will the phenomena. Animals are always varying, and 
only those whose frames are in adaptation to the surrounding conditions can 
be perpetuated. The concluding passages of Professor Haughton’s volume 
contain an argument utterly incontestable. “ Smely the animal that grew 
from a monkey, which monkey had its origin in a lower type .of life, that 
again proceeded from still lower forms, cannot hope to live beyond the time 
when his perishable body shall return to the elements from whence they (sic) 
came. It therefore seems to me that the retention of a belief in the resurrec- 
tion of our bodies, and in an immortal future, is inconsistent with these natural 
theories of life upon the globe.” Very high praise is due to the Messrs. 
Longman for the manner in which the volume has been printed and illustrated. 
Some of the engravings, and especially those upon a black ground, have been 
deliciously executed. 
