1856-81 VARIETIES SHOULD BE EXHIBITED 39 
Of each class, according to the nature and signi- 
ficance of the differences that exist. With regard 
to birds, I must say that not only would I exhibit 
every species, but I see clearly, in the P^esen 
phase of natural history philosophy, that we shah 
be compelled to exhibit varieties also. The whole 
intellectual world this year has been excited by a 
book on the origin of species; and what is the 
consequence ? Visitors come to ^ ^ 
Museum, and they say, “ Let us see all these 
varieties of pigeons : where is the tumbler, where 
is the pouter?” and I am obliged with^ shame to 
say, “ I can show you none of them , an yet 
there we give what, we consider, some may think 
an extravagant space to the pigeons ; but they 
are the pigeons of the whole world. As to show- 
ing you the varieties of those species, or any of 
those phenomena that would aid one in getting a 
that mystery of mysteries, the origin of species 
our space does not permit ; but surely there oug 
to be space somewhere, and, if not in the British 
Museum, where is it to be obtained ? 1 he chai - 
ntan of the committee said to Owen . ^ ^ presurn 
that the persons who make these inquiries are, o 
a certain extent, scientific persons?’ to which he 
replied ; ‘ I must say that the number of mtellectua 
individuals interested in the great question whic 
® The reader will remember and is History 
thatthisdetailof Owen’s great Hall of the Natural H 
scheme has been elaborated by Museum. 
Professor Sir William Flower, 
