1884.] Origin of Species from Mongrels , &c. 405 
tion, upon the earth, the substances composing these being 
found to be quite identical with the components of our own 
planet. Electron may thus be said to make all the Universe 
kin, and its inhabitants bone of the same bone, and flesh of 
the same flesh, as ourselves ; although the type and model 
of their physical organisation may be very different, — indeed 
must . be so, — in conformity with the diverse influences 
affecting them in respeCt to gravitation, distance from their 
central suns, periods of their solar circuits, physical or 
geological condition, of the planets, and other astronomical 
elements. But still we are all formed of the same materials, 
energised and vitalised by the same eleCtric energy, the 
same light, and the same heat, and are alike the subjects 
and children under the government of the same supreme 
Sovereign. 
(To be continued). 
V. THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES FROM MONGRELS 
BETWEEN RACES AND OTHER SPECIES. 
t HE following researches by Herr W. O. Focke, which 
have appeared in the “ Botanische Jahrbiicher ” and 
“ Naturforscher,” though relating primarily to plants, 
extend in principle to the entire organic world, and must be 
welcomed as throwing new light on a question still beset 
with difficulties. 
The assumption that new species of plants may in the 
course of generations be evolved from hybrids has latterly 
gained increasing probability in consequence of various 
observations. Still the influence of hybridism upon the 
origin of species has been hitherto, in general, regarded as 
quite subordinate. This view Herr Focke combats in his 
memoir. A careful study of those genera and groups of 
plants in which numerous transition-forms obliterate the 
boundaries between the more decided species has led him to 
the conviction that the ordinary Darwinian view of the 
origin of species is no longer sufficient. According to Dar- 
win most species have originated by the gradual modification 
and differentiation of the primitive types. In accordance 
VOL. VI. (THIRD SERIES). 2 E 
