New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-11-04

individuals We have series Of phenomena arising
from the fact that the species has been called into
existence with the properties Of undergoing sue
cesslvey these changes But with the progress
OF species we fnd them in different geological
strata, the question is: can we find in Nature ex
ternal causes which will produce these change. 7
and, again. can " refer these successive appear
ance OF different types 70 the Influences Of exrsrna
causes say no; because, SINCE man has studied
Nature he has never seen any species modified IN
der external influences. The most ancient mouu.
ment whose mummies have been studied. shows
animals quite identical with those who live in the
same country now therefore see. that as far as
we can reach. the species which exist now have
had the same characteristics which they have at
this present day and therefore, II would be illogi
cal ~ suppose that what does not occur for 81 long
al amount OF time hiss been the Of all the va
rieties which We see 10 Nature And again the
fact TO which alluded IN the last ecture that such
vast variety Of animals, living in the same cir.
cumstsuces in the same locality, and again animals
OF the very same types as We have in the different
geological epOchs, shows evidently that these ex
ternsl circumstances are not the prodsct-have not
been made by external insucnces-but have been
arranged with the plan which was formed at the
beginning when the world aud the organic beings
were called into existence with the end Of ntrodu
cling man. Applause
These views 70 which / shall recur when / come
70 speak Of the position Of man in Nature and OF
his relations 70 the animal kingdom, disagree en-.
tirely with the views, and have not the slightest
alliance With the views Of a work. which is very
much spoken Of bot which consider entirely IN
worthy Of notice by any serious scientific man-be
cause II is made up II old.iash oned views which
have been brought before the notice OF the public for
halt acentury by the French school and support
ed only by antiquated assertions, and by no me ans
by facts scientifically ascertGned 1t must be owing
10 some particular Circumstance that this work has
been SO much noticed, because really it is not wor
thy critical examination by a serious scientific
man.
Now. after this too tedious explanation, let me
come back to my proper subject and beg to be
allowed 10 go on regularly with the subject, as fire.
quently questions are submitted in reference to
lectures already delivered which really are not rel
evant or pertinent TO the present object Of our in
vestigations. Ia the proper place should have
been led 10 speak Of the points which have been
the subject Of this explanation, and the remarks
Just now made would with more propriety have
been introduced at the close Of the course, had
not been asked so often to give my views in rela.
ton 10 these questions. lApplause)
| remarked that the gastropFdn are not pro-
psrly classified. Their structure is generally well
known, but the details OF the different groups have
not been sufficiently ascertained tor the purposes
of strictly natural classification The gils. which
have been made the principle OF classification, vary
SO much, and the variations are OF so little lmpof-
lance that do not suppose thtt on that principle