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important argument drawn from analogy ; but I think it would have been 
well if there had also been reference to the fact, that just as each book of 
Scripture has its definite object, so also had each stratum of the earth its 
particular use, which affords an explanation of the reason existing for the 
variety observable. The Book of Deuteronomy, in the Old Testament, had 
its definite object, as also have the Epistles of St. Paul, each, in its own way, 
fulfilling its destined purpose ; just as recent discoveries have shown that 
there have been important eras in the history of geology, in which each 
stratum, or series of laminae, have had their due relation to the work of the 
Creator. I would therefore suggest, that in this way the point which has been 
so well taken up by the writer of the paper might have been illustrated with 
advantage. 
Mr. J. P. Harrison. — I will just offer a remark or two as to what has 
been said about different races of man, and as to the negro being pictured on 
the monuments of Egypt so soon after the Flood. There seems, to my mind, 
no reason to suppose that there may not have been a black man in the ark, 
because it is quite possible that the black race may have been developed 
before the Deluge. It should be remembered that we have the four races of 
mankind distinctly marked as they are, and corresponding with the four 
patriarchs of the ark — namely, Noah and his three sons. If these all went in 
different directions, to different parts of the world, the races would be thus 
kept separate, and the peculiar features of each portion of the family would 
become developed and spread, while, by intermarriages between the different 
races, varieties would be very quickly produced. 
Captain M. S. Nolloth, R.N. — I should like, Sir, to make a brief observa- 
tion in reference to what has been said about the varieties and origin of the 
human species. I believe it is admitted that in both America and Australia, 
a small but perceptible alteration is observable in the appearance of the race 
during the brief periods of our connection with those countries respectively. 
The peoples have become taller and thinner, and in minor respects different 
from their European ancestors ; and the Australians are said to be ap- 
proaching more nearly in each generation to the Anglo-American type. I 
venture to think it somewhat strange that the darkest- skinned Hindoo should, 
in the long frame-work, be more like the white Caucasian than the Mongolians, 
many of whom are as white as ourselves, while their — the Mongolians’ — 
frame approaches in several respects to that of the Negro, as do their facial 
features, in certain particulars, to that of the latter. I think that, with 
many persons the difficulty of believing in a common origin lies more in 
difference of mere colour of skin, than in that of osteological features. But 
I do not profess to be learned in these matters. 
Mr. Weldon. — I have to thank those that have spoken, for the gentle 
manner in which they have applied their criticisms to my paper. I must say 
that I expected to have been much more u cut up ” than I have been, and I 
am glad to find that you have so generally agreed with the drift of my 
observations, relative to the origin of species. I regard it as one of 
