The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-08-12

readers imagination.
DARwINIAN IDEAs.-Mr Darwin has pub
lished two more volumes on the Variation
of Plants and Animals after Domestic
ation," to confirm his theory that the
different forms of animal and vegetable life
have been produced by natural law, and
not by creative acts. The conclusions of
Mr.. Darwin may be reduced to four:
l. All animals, especially domestic an
finals, have tendency to great variation
of form; and artificial selection depends
for its operation on this fact.
2. Many forms Of animals and plants,
not in existence in nature, but derived from
natural types, are called into existence by
man.
3. These are produced by artificial Sc
lection; by careful observation of individ
ual variation, which are selected for breed
ing and these are preserved till they are
perpetuated as specific characters.
4. Breeds, which are thus introduced by
artificial selection, show differences of ex-
ternal form and of internal structure, which
would warrant a naturalist, ignorant of
their origin, to call them distinct, or some
times even distinct genera.
Prof Agassiz is the leading opponent of
Mr.. Darwins theory. He asserts that
species are immutable; that man can origi-
nate breeds, but never species; and that
breeds are fruitful in offspring, but specia
if crossed are barren, or have sterile off
spring. He claims, also, that in the whole
range of observation in living nature, or in
fossil history, no instance has been found
of transmutation of species. Where such
eminent naturalists are at variance, who
can decide the controversy?
A YANKEE BoY-We recently met our
friend DIR. Lord formerly of Boston. He
had been. resident Of this section for
about six years. During his first few years
he was extensively engaged in buying wood,
and on one occasion becoming bewildered
with the multiplicity of crooked roads over
the broad praries, he road up to small
cabin inclosed in clump of locust trees,
and addressed white-headed boy perched
on the top Of hen coop, with:
"Halloa, boy p
q reckon you're a stranger" was the
response.
Look here, sonny"
" | amt your sonny"
" No, not my sonny, but if you will jump
down and come here l II give you dime"
The boy sprang as if alighting from a
wasp's nest, and coming up to the stranger
exclaimed:
well, old boss, what is it ?"
1--WE lost my way, and don't know
where l am. Can you tell me?"
yes; you're on your horse"
Mr.. Lord laughed at the boys wit aud
handed him dime The boy took the
money, looking up with mingled feelings
of wonder and delight and said II reckon
you must have power of money! "Why
SO, my boy?"
Cause you slather it away So"
What's your fathers name?" inquired
Mr.. Lord.
"Bill jerks" was the reply.
"Ah, yes, know him." exclaimed Mr.
Lord; ' he grows wool don't he?"
mo but his sheep does"
"lf you knew me, my lad, you would be
more respectful in your replies. I'm a
friend of your father; my name is Lord"
"Oh, yes exclaimed the astonished lad; |
+" I've heard papa read about you in the
Bible; and starting off for the house at
dead run, he bawled out at the top of his
lungs:
Mother, mother, the Lord is out here
on horseback, and has lost his way -
A MUSICAL Cow-A gentleman residing
near this city has a COW that evidently has an
ear for music. She will permit no one to
milk her who will not sing while performing
hat operation. The moment the music
ceases she becomes restless, and will break
iway unless 1t is resumed at once but while
he singing progresses she will remain per-
ectly docile. She does not seem to care so
much about the quality of the music, pro-
Tided the quantity is sufficient. She exhi-
lits trulv a remarka hle freak -lCan Zose Mer- |