55 
extent, and within certain limits, lie has in himself 
the power to modify in his own person the operation of 
those conditions ; but he can do no more. Change, constant 
change, is part of Nature's laws. Whether looked for in 
respect to atmospheric, terrestrial, or organic creation, it 
equally manifests itself. As surely as the genial glow 
of returning spring leads to the recurrence of vegetable 
life, the summer sun to the ripening fruit, autumn to 
the changed tint of woodland leaves, equinoctial gales to 
havoc, more or less complete, among denizens of forests, 
fields, and gardens, winter blasts to the cessation for the 
time being of vegetable life — in like manner, and according 
to their appointed seasons , corresponding phenomena occur in 
the animal world, of which man is the highest member. 
The Chairman (Sir J. Fayrer, K.C.S.I., M.D., F.R.S.). — I am quite sure 
I shall have your assent in most cordially thanking Dr. Gordon for his very 
interesting paper. (Applause.) When I heard that Dr. Gordon was to read 
a paper, I knew that it would be a good one, for his great experience, 
long service in almost every quarter of the globe, and the peculiar interest 
he has always taken in the subjects he has dealt with, gave great 
promise of an exceedingly interesting lecture, and I think you will agree 
with me that my expectations have not been disappointed. (Hear, hear.) 
We are honoured this evening by the attendance of several distinguished 
Visitors, and I trust that they will consider themselves, on this occasion, 
members of the Society, and will take part in the discussion which is about 
to commence. Without detaining you by any further remarks at present, 
I will ask you at once to open the discussion. 
Sir James Risdon Bennett, Y.P.R.S. — I can only express the great 
pleasure with which I have listened to the paper and my obligations to Dr. 
Gordon for having afforded me the opportunity of hearing it. There is a 
great deal in the paper to which we cannot but assent, and I may say, for 
myself, that I do very heartily assent to most of what he has put before us. 
The points he has dealt with are, for the most part, of a character that would 
only justify any expression of dissent from those who have had much more 
of the individual experience which Dr. Gordon possesses than I can possibly 
venture to claim. I think there are two or three points of very special 
interest in connexion with certain matters that have been touched upon, 
and I may refer to one in particular, with reference to the bearing of 
Dr. Gordon’s views on the general doctrine of evolution— a matter of 
extreme importance, which ought not to be lost sight of in connexion with 
that much-discussed subject. Whatever may be our scientific views, we 
must all of us be more or less impressed with the fact that there is some- 
