275 
The trilobites do not exist now, but they are represented by microscopical 
forms. The ostropods continue perfectly immutable and absolutely the 
same down to the present day. Here, therefore, we have those particular 
forms maintaining their distinguishing characteristics down to the present 
time, — the highest, the lowest, and the intermediate forms and genera 
remaining perfectly distinct. On page 265 there is a reference to the 
period that has elapsed between the glacial epoch and the present time; 
Sir Charles Lyell, it is stated, contended “ that the glacial period must be 
reckoned as occurring 800,000 years ago. Sir John Lubbock is contented 
with 200,000, M. Adhemar with 11,120, whilst Professor Andrewes contends 
that the ice ended barely 8,000 years ago.” On the mountains of Scaw Fell, 
Snowdon, and several others in our own lake district, besides those of the 
Ben MacDhui series, we have traces of Alpine flora life, which represent 
the glacial epoch. The salix herbacea, one of the smallest willows that exist 
and which only grows to the height of from one inch to three or four inches, 
is there found. Now, supposing this to have so continued for 8,000 years, 
it would afford additional proof of the immutability of species, by the fact 
that it has not been improved off the face of the earth, or developed into a 
larger form of plant. On page 267 we have the serious point of spontaneous 
generation discussed, and Professor Huxley is referred to as having “ thrown 
over the theory the sanction of his name, although unable to admit its truth 
as a scientific fact.” It might be desirable to state that Professor Huxley 
simply allowed it as a probability in past times, — that originally there must 
have been spontaneous generation, — in order to get over the idea of creation, 
although he does not think it possible to prove that this spontaneous gene- 
ration now takes place. So it is with most of those who contend for this 
theory; they use it simply for the purpose of putting the idea of the Creator 
further and further from our minds. I think the writer very properly sums 
up the evolution question in the words of Agassiz : — “ The theory is a 
scientific blunder, untrue in its facts, unscientific in its method, and ruinous 
in its tendency.” 
Surg. -General C. Gordon, C.B. — On the fourth page of the paper allusion 
is made to the law of hybrids. As far as my inquiries have gone, there is 
no instance of two distinct races of persons producing a third race, having 
the properties and qualities in equal proportions of each of the progenitive 
races. The product possesses the characteristics of one or the other in a 
predominant degree ; but in no instance with which I am acquainted do 
they possess the properties of the two parents in equal proportions. Of course, 
when several races become mixed as we ourselves have been, the remark I 
have just made requires to be modified. On the next page there is a remark 
with reference to the modification that takes place in the case of dogs. Those 
modifications are familiar to all of us, but what seems to me to be very 
peculiar is that the argument which has so many illustrations with regard to 
dogs is not applicable with regard to man,— that is to say, the dog, which 
is allowed here to have arisen from one original description, becomes 
modified into “ the fierce bloodhound which is trained to harry down the 
