New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-19

ant than the direct action already referred to. Ev-
cry change lecomes the center of wide circle OF of
fects. The different members Of the organic world
are 40 bound together by complex relations that any
one change usually involves many other changes.
We know little il is true of the way in which one
animal or plant Is bound up with others but We do
know tha. groups the most apparently disconnected
are often entirely dependent on other groups mus
the introduction of goats into St. Helena destroyed
whole fora of forest trees. This was the sentence of
death on all the insects, nollusca, and perhaps,
birds which found their living on the trees SWINE
which ran wild in Maurtius cXterminated the dodo.
The same animal is the most mortal Zoe OF vehomous
serpcnts. In many districts, the browsing OF cat
lie will prevent the growth of trees. WIN the
trees, an end is put to the insects whch de-
pend upon the trees to tho birds which feed upon
the insects and to the small mammals which live
upon the fruits, seeds, leaves, or roots. In
sects. moreover have the most wonderful influence
on tie range of mammals In Paraguay a species OF
fly destroys newborn cattle and horses. Hchce
neither of these animals runs wild III rhat country
although they abound IN the adjacent regions This
leads to great difference in the vegetation OF fara
cuny ard through that to difference in its insects,
birds. reptiles, and wild mammalia The extinction
of this fly would change the whole face OF the
country. So in South Africa, in the districts in
tested by the tsctze fly, horses dogs, or cattle
can live Yet il has no effect on asses, zebras or
antelopes. Mr.. Darwins often quoted case OF Tie
cats and clover affords apt Illustration OF the
point III question: Ii is known that in England
both red clover and wild heartsease arc fertized
only by the visits of hunlble-bees. But humble
bees are largely kept down by held-mice when
destroy their combs and nests. Fieldmice In their
turn are kept down by cats. If there were no cats
tncTe would be no red clover or wild heartscase.
For in that case there would be 10 check on the
Geld-mice which would multiply so abundantly as
to destroy all the humbc-bees. There would then
be nothing 10 fcrtzc the red clover and heartsease
and the two plants would produce no seed aud be-
come extinct. 1t has also been shown that one
spocics often extcImina.es another closely al
lied species One species OF swallow and thrush are
known to increase at the expense of their blood
relations Rats carried over the world by com
mercc constantly cxiirpato other species of rat'
Ehe imported hivc-bee is rapidly killing of the
native Shingles bee of Australia. From facts like
these which abound in the writings OF Darwin, Mr.
Wallace concludes that the several varieties both OF
animals and vegetables which inhabt aHy eXter-
sivc. region arc intcTaccd with each other mat
the increase, diminutiou. or determination or one
NAV 80 affect the whole as to require centuries o.
nuctraton before the equilibrium is restored. Inc
subject is too vast for human investigations NO re-
search can fully explore its mysterious depths. We
can only trace cut impcrfcctly some OF the larger
changes III physical geography that have occurred
during the ayes Immediately preceding our OWL
and to estimate their probable effect on animal dIS-
tr)mion. while we may thus be enabled 10 deter
mine fine birthplace and subsequent migratiOns OF
the more important genera and families ana 20
form some conception of the grand series of coOfd-
tio aud u',nh i;4nfS
results of which are to he in the forms and
distribution of existing animals.
In the treatment of his grand ard complicated
theme, Mr.. Wallace cyinccs p0wc: OF arIang 'mcht
md orranization wiCh ont which the reader would
be los; in confused mass OF incXplicablc details
The subject lies before his comprehensive glance IN
the lucia order of geographical map, and Ill spite
Of the immense range Of facts which he IS called TO
consider he never loses sight of the central Princi
PIES in which he finds alike the guide OF his re-
searches and the key to his Problems. Abstanng
from the cues; ons presented in thc lofty highis OF
transccndcnta anatomy, or the bewidefing lnazcs
OF modern classification" he confines hi.nscf to the
facts which he has discovered ana the lhlelchces
which they authorize, after "A profound course OF
Investigation and study The original Illustrations
which accompany the work are OF singular value,
and will not fail 70 command the sprcia! attention
OF the reader. series Of twenty patcs, III paIticu
lar. which represent the physical aspect and
the peculiar geological character Of certain we'll
marked regions. llord most instructive lesson IL
natural history oGcb species as actually occur
tagctaer in nature, and belong TO groups tina! are
characteristic of the country whose zoology they
illustrate are associated III the pictures. which VIII
Of themselves serve to convey notion Of the varied
tvpcs in their true geographical relations. The TO-
tai outcome Of the splendid wOT, to intclictntccad
ers may he expressed III the language of the author
as "aa increased appreciation Of the beauty ani the
harmony Of l,nturc aud q fuller comprehension Of
the complex relation and mutual intcfdcpcndcncc
which lui topcthcr every Animal and vegetable
form with the evcr-clanging earth which supports
them. into one grand organic whole