1884.] Analyses of Books. 295 
Touching the popularisation of science we read : — “ If it could 
become as much of a disgrace to be found ignorant of the flora 
or fauna of one’s native place as it is now to be found ignorant of 
the rules of etiquette or the contents of the last novel, devotees 
of botany and natural history would immediately become legion. 
We are in general ignorant not merely of the contents, but even 
of the very name, of the “ last novel ” — would it were written 1 
but we never felt this ignorance a disgrace, nor have we ever met 
with any person who had the impertinence to regard it as such. 
Mr. Ward does well to point out that while all forms of natural 
science so far from quenching the aesthetic faculties tend power- 
fully to develope them, that of Natural History, and especially 
of Botany, awakens such an interest in Nature and her beautiful 
objedts that those who have once tasted pleasure of this class may 
well consider other pleasures insipid. 
This volume, which we have thus cursorily noticed, affords 
throughout gratifying proof that the Philosophical Society of 
Washington is doing valuable work. 
Volume V. will be noticed in our June number. 
Notes on Natural Selection and the Origin of Species. By 
Francis P. Pascoe, F.L.S., formerly President of the En- 
tomological Society. London : Taylor and Francis. 
The author of this brief but suggestive pamphlet, whilst fully 
recognising the great principle of Evolution, does not feel free 
to accept Natural Selection ” as the one great agent in the 
origin of species. In this view he is far from singular. The 
saying that before selection can come into play there must be 
varieties to seledl among has passed almost into a truism, and 
we are therefore left face to face with the main question, whence 
comes the variation ? Unlike, however, another recent critic of 
the dodtrine of Natural Selection, Mr. Pascoe holds that “ Dar- 
win’s objedt was truth, and nothing could exceed his readiness to 
admit a difficulty wherever it told against his views.” 
Mr. Pascoe raises a point with reference to the beetles found 
in Madeira. According to Wollaston nearly 200 out of the 580 
species existing in Madeira are wingless, or at least unable to 
Darwin accounted for this facft on the principle of Natural 
Selection, as those beetles which flew most would run the greatest 
risk of being blown out to sea, and would consequently be the 
least likely to survive and to leave posterity. But Mr. Pascoe 
remarks that the beetles of Madeira belong chiefly to the families 
Curculionid®, Tenebrionid®, aud Carabid®, many of which, even 
in inland localities, are wingless. 
