XXIV 
INTRODUCTION. 
the direction of the mammals, especially when their anatomy is taken 
into consideration. 
“If we look hack upon these primitive forms created at the 
commencement, probably only in isolated species, we have the option 
of electing whether we choose to accept Kaup’s theory, ‘that they 
arose partly through a transmutation from the Amphibia, and then 
developed themselves into higher forms, or that, which seems to us 
more probable, each originally sprang from the individual generation 
of primaeval eggs, and that the later and nearer-related intermediate 
forms resulted possibly from the union of certain primaeval pairs, 
while other individuals continued the type ; so probably, in accordance 
with all experiences of Geognosy, the multiplication of forms only 
took place by slow degrees, and that thousands on thousands of 
years elapsed before creation reached the sub-species which now 
crowd our books.’ ” 
It now remains to be asked whether the creative power still 
continues to work in our time, or has ceased to do so ? Every year 
species of animals new to us are discovered by naturalists, and are 
classed, without further ceremony, as belonging to the same date 
with those already known; the same would he assumed, even, were a 
totally unknown bird suddenly discovered in a country supposed to 
be thoroughly explored. We are utterly unable to say anything 
certain on this question. The disciples of the old school argue that 
the creation of animals ceased after man was created, and they would 
rather contend that the intermediary forms are the result of the 
blending of others, although this theory is, and I believe rightly, 
denied by many. So many questions arise, in these sort of dis¬ 
cussions, that it will be well for us wholly to disregard them. 
We, on the other hand, should do better by saying a word or two about 
those birds which are gradually becoming extinct in our own time. 
Among this class of birds many have disappeared within the records 
of history, not leaving even a trace behind. We have the concurring 
evidence of more than one reliable author that so late as the last 
century several extraordinary birds, which then existed in the islands 
of Bourbon, Mauritius, and Bodriguez, have now disappeared. The 
best known among these is the celebrated Dodo, of which Captain 
Castleton (1613) gives the following account:—“ There are a great 
many birds to be found there, both great and small: swarms of Doves 
and Pigeons, great Parrots, &c.; lastly, a big bird, very fat, and such 
