On palaeontological evidence of gradual modification of animal forms / W.H. Flower.

  • Flower, William Henry, 1831-1899.
Date:
[1873]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On palaeontological evidence of gradual modification of animal forms / W.H. Flower. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    J l-vojnil institution of ©real Britain, WEEKLY EVENING MEETING, Friday, April 25, 1873. Sir Henry Holland, Bart. M.D. D.C.L. F.R.S. President, in the Chair. Cl~ Professor W. H. Flower, F.R.S. On Palceontological Evidence of Gradual Modification of Animal Forms. I need scarcely say that one of the greatest, if not absolutely the greatest problem which has ever exercised the minds of naturalists is that of the fixity or the mutability of species. Are tho various specific forms under which animal and vegetable life exist upon earth, now and in all times past, fixed within certain Harrow limits of variation, and did each originally appear upon the earth without genetic connection with any previously existing forms, hawing been created de novo in fact? or have these different species been produced by gradual modification from pre-existing living forms, under the influence of certain laws, at present very imperfectly under- stood, acting through vast and indefinite periods of time ? It is clear that these two views are strongly opposed to each other. Both have been held and still arc held by men who are justly con- sidered masters in the branch of knowledge to which they relate; and the solution of the question will exercise so important an influence on the progress of zoology that any real contribution towards it should be one of the most welcome additions to scienco that a naturalist of the present day can make. The question is, indeed, so far-reaching, so all-pervading, that it meets us everywhere in the study of every group of animal or vege- table life, and in almost every aspect in which the study can bo carried out. It bears largely upon, and is greatly illustrated by, descriptive zoology or botany. It adds vastly to the interest of tho pursuit of anatomy, by calling out tho meaning of rudimentary structures and so-called typical resemblances; it elucidates obscure questions relating to the habits and instincts of animals; it brings into prominoncc tho signification of various facts of geographical distribution, and the life it throws into the study of palaeontology is too obvious to need remark. Evidences bearing upon, cither for or against, the theory of evolution or descent can be collected from all these sources. I need only refer to Mr. Darwin’s works, which must be familiar to you all, B