Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-20
PROF. DANA on EVOLUTION.
He Believes that Most Species Can be
Accounted for by the DarWinian The
Dry.

In concluding his series of lectures at Yale
last Saturday on evolution Prof. Jas. D. Dana,
the eminent geologist, said that natural causes
have been sufficient, man and some other ami
mails excepted, for the evolution of species
from other species. The strongest men in in
tellect and will are gradually taking possession
of the world, thus eXemplifying natural selec-
ton, and this is seen in Great Britain's occupa-
ton of many parts of the globe. Previous to
1859 1t was supposed that species always eX-
listed IN the same condition they were then
found. Now this has vanished largely, owing to
DarWln's Origin OF SpecieS.' All the methods
OF association OF species are natural selections
through which Darwin holds species originate.
The causes of migration of plants and animals
are very great, the most important being the
change OF sea level. Remains of tropical species
are found in Great Britain, showing that that
country was once united with the continent.
North America was once Joined to Europe
across the Arctic ocean, thus allowing the pas
sage of animals and birds Winds carry many
hundreds of miles small insects, Seeds &c. We
know that kind of evergreen, now the gigantic
trees OF California exists in the Arctic regions,
trees must have passed to the Arctic region
from either the American or European side,
complete list of these migrations may soon be
made.
All changes in physical conditions or mfgra-
tons may work great changes either for good
or evil. The migration of the pOtatOe bug from
Colorado has been very rapid. and were II not
for mans care there would have been a COM
plete destruction of the species of potatoes Man
in this case is the sufferer. The bees of EurOpe
have eXterminated from Australia the stingless
bee of that country. Bright colors are disad-
vantage TO creatures, for they allow their adj
yerSarles the better to see them. Insects which
feed on leaves are green, those feeding on bark
brown. Ii temperature or the humidity of
climates be changed it will be for the benefit OF
some species and the disadvantage of others
Cutting down shade trees will strengthen
the grass which was under the tree, while il will
crowd out the weeds. Ii cats are eXterminated,
1T will increase field mice and exterminate
bees, Tor the cat feeds on the mice and the mice
ON the bees.
The island of ST. Helena had once thick
growth OF trees, but now has none, owing to
lnulScrImlnate cutting and the introduction of
the goat The species of pigeon are most numer-
Gus In Australia and other islands because
eggs. Darwin holds that through protection OF
a species originates new species in time but we
.uuiu lnlnh li;.t something In the physical
structure must direct and limit the change.
Prisoners of ThOthmes.
From the tParis) American Register
A young countryman of ours, Mr.. William
Groh, Of Cincinnati, who is finishing his ORR.
entail studies in Paris, has recently made dis
coVery, which NJ. Oppert, a member of the In
stitute, communicated to the Academy of In
scriptions and Belles-Lettres at the meeting of
January %.
On the famous lists at Karnak, Egypt, are in
scrioeu the names OF the persons who were
made prisoners at Mageddo by King Thothmes
IL, ana among these names there are two
winch on being translated into Hebrew letter
10y letter, appear as Jacob-El and Joseph-EI
A'Ai1CS II was utlcNCl InaL THESE names
geographical ones, that is to say had reference
TO cities, and as nothing in the ancient peoo-
rapnS oil Egypt and Israel led to suppose that
cities with these names existed the savants had
overlooked these two inscriptions, more espe-
cially that of Joseph-EI the real signficatiOn of
which they had not discovered. Mr. Croft
AFTER having thoroughly studied the Karnak
lists, found that the names thereon were not
geographical, but ethn ographicaI ones: that is
10 say, that they referred not to cities but to
populations of tribes made prisoners by King
II dHdt, and that the words Jacob,El and
tive INTO Egypt by that monarch. These two
names, moreover, concorded with the Biblical
account, which describes Israel as having been
uINlded INTO TWO large families those of Jacob
and Joseph
This discovery Is evidently very important
one TO begin with, IL brings before us the old
est existing mention of the Hebrews because
IhotnInes III. lived about 700 years before
DiiVld Next, IT throws the first ray of light on
q portion OF the history of Israel which has
jacob and Joseph, having been expelled from
Egypt with the shepherd Kings Is as fully es-
taoiished by other nierogiyphic inscriptions
anu the Exodus OF the Bible which came
seEerai centuries later, in nowise alludinp 10
THIS FIRST expulsion, the TACT of the tribes called
JacOp-El and Joseph-El made prisoners during
tt,ae dntGrVai becomes most interesting. Should
TINS not be regarded, as Mr.. Croft says, as a lost
page OF the Bible? 1t is beyond doubt that there
Is IN the Bible long hiatus" between the end
Oh behesls and EXodus-in other words between
Joseph ana Moses. Mr.. Groff7s discovery proves
th;tt during that period the Israeite tribes were
OUT Oh Egypt, because Tnothmes wages war
against them and makes them prisoners at
NteeuuO. IhlS raises the question, whether IL
was during this captivity that they multiplied
10 degree which alarmed the Egyptians and
Ieu 70 the events narrated in the Book of
III is TO be hoped that Interior discoveries will
complete those of Mr. Croft who has established
hXed point around which other facts will
group themselves.