,,geological ,,contemporaneity ,,&      
,,p]si/5t ,,types ,,( ,,life4  ,by      
,?omas ,h4 ,huxley  #a    ,,m]*ants     
occasionally g ?r\gh a :olesome1 ?\gh   
tr\blesome & n always satisfactory1     
process :i* !y t]m tak+ /ock4 ,aft] all 
! excitem5t ( speculation1 ! pleasure ( 
ga91 & ! pa9 ( loss1 ! trad] makes up 8 
m9d to face facts & to le>n ! exact     
quantity & quality ( 8 solid & reliable 
possessions4  ,! man ( sci5ce does well 
sometimes to imitate ?is proc$ure2 &1   
=gett+ = ! "t ! importance ( 8 own small
 w9n+s1 to re-exam9e ! common /ock 9    
trade1 s t he may make sure h[ f> ! /ock
 ( bullion 9 ! cell>--on ! fai? ( ^:    
exi/5ce s mu* pap] has be5 circulat+--is
 really ! solid gold ( tru?4  ,!        
,anniv]s>y ,meet+ ( ! ,geological       
,society seems to be an occasion well   
suit$ = an und]tak+ ( ?is k9d--= an     
inquiry1 9 fact1 into ! nature & value (
 ! pres5t results ( paleontological     
inve/igation2 & ! m s1 z all ^? :o h    
paid close att5tion to ! late           

multitud9\s discussions 9 :i*           
paleontology is implicat$1 mu/ h felt ! 
urg5t necessity ( "s su* scrut9y4  ,fir/
 9 ord]1 z ! mo/ def9ite & unque/ionable
 ( all ! results ( paleontology1 mu/ be 
m5tion$ ! imm5se ext5sion & impulse giv5
 to botany1 zoology1 & comp>ative       
anatomy1 by ! inve/igation ( fossil     
rema9s4 ,inde$1 ! mass ( biological     
facts has be5 s greatly increas$1 & !   
range ( biological speculation has be5 s
 va/ly wid5$1 by ! rese>*es ( ! geologi/
 & paleontologi/1 t x is to be fe>$ !re 
are naturali/s 9 exi/5ce :o look ^u     
geology z ,br9dley reg>d$ riv]s4 ,riv]s1
 said ! great eng9e]1 7 made to fe$     
canals2 & geology1 "s seem to ?9k1 0    
solely creat$ to advance comp>ative     
anatomy4  ,7 su* a ?\ght ju/ifiable1 x  
c\ld h>dly expect to be receiv$ ) fav\r 
by ?is assembly4 ,b x is n ju/ifiable4  
,y\r fav\rite sci5ce has h] own great   
aims indep5d5t ( all o!rs2 & if1 not)/&+
 h] /eady devotion to h] own progress1  
%e c scatt] su* ri* alms among h] si/]s1

 x %\ld be rememb]$ t h] *>ity is ( !   
sort t does n impov]i%1 b blesse? him t 
gives & him t takes4  ,reg>d ! matt] z  
we w1 h[ev]1 ! facts rema94 ,ne>ly      
#dj1jjj species ( animals & plants h be5
 add$ to ! ,sy/ema ,naturae by          
paleontologic rese>*4 ,?is is a liv+    
population equival5t to t ( a new       
cont95t 9 m]e numb]2 equival5t to t ( a 
new hemisph]e1 if we take into acc\nt ! 
small population ( insects z yet f\nd   
fossil1 & ! l>ge proportion & peculi>   
organization ( _m ( ! ,v]tebrata4  ,b1  
beyond ?is1 x is p]haps n too mu* to say
 t1 except = ! necessity ( int]pret+    
paleontologic facts1 ! laws (           
di/ribution w\ld h receiv$ less c>eful  
/udy2 :ile few comp>ative anatomi/s 7&  
^? n ( ! fir/ ord]7 w\ld h be5 induc$ by
 m]e love ( detail1 z su*1 to /udy !    
m9utiae ( o/eology1 7 x n t 9 su*       
m9utiae lie ! only keys to ! mo/ int]e/+
 riddles (f]$ by ! ext9ct animal _w4    
,^! assur$ly are great & solid ga9s4    
,surely x is matt] = no small           

congratulation t 9 half a c5tury 7=     
paleontology1 ?\gh x dawn$ e>li]1 came  
into full day only ) ,cuvi]7 a          
subord9ate bran* ( biology %\ld h d\bl$ 
! value & ! int]e/ ( ! :ole gr\p (      
sci5ces to :i* x belongs4  ,b ?is is n  
all4 ,alli$ ) geology1 paleontology has 
e/abli%$ two laws ( ine/imable          
importance3 ! fir/1 t "o & ! same area (
 ! e>?'s surface has be5 successively   
occupi$ by v diff]5t k9ds ( liv+ be+s2 !
 second1 t ! ord] ( succession e/abli%$ 
9 "o locality holds good1 approximately1
 9 all4  ,! fir/ ( ^! laws is univ]sal &
 irrev]sible2 ! second is an induction f
 a va/ numb] ( obs]vations1 ?\gh x may  
possibly1 & ev5 probably1 h to admit (  
exceptions4 ,z a consequ5ce ( ! second  
law1 x foll[s t a peculi> relation      
frequ5tly subsi/s betwe5 s]ies ( /rata1 
conta9+ organic rema9s1 9 diff]5t       
localities4 ,! s]ies resemble "o ano!r1 
n only 9 virtue ( a g5]al resemblance ( 
! organic rema9s 9 ! two1 b also 9      
virtue ( a resemblance 9 ! ord] & "* ( !

 s]ial succession 9 ea*4 ,!re is a      
resemblance ( arrangem5t2 s t ! sep>ate 
t]ms ( ea* s]ies1 z well z ! :ole s]ies1
 exhibit a correspond5ce4  ,succession  
implies "t2 ! l[] memb]s ( a s]ies (    
s$im5t>y rocks are c]ta9ly old] ?an !   
upp]2 & :5 ! notion ( age 0 once        
introduc$ z ! equival5t ( succession1 x 
0 no wond] t correspond5ce 9 succession 
came to be look$ ^u z a correspond5ce 9 
age1 or contemporaneity4 ,&1 inde$1 s   
long z relative age only is spok5 (1    
correspond5ce 9 succession 'is'         
correspond5ce 9 age2 x is 'relative'    
contemporaneity4  ,b x w\ld h be5 v mu* 
bett] = geology if s loose & ambigu\s a 
^w z contemporane\s _h be5 exclud$ f h] 
t]m9ology1 & if1 9 its /ead1 "s t]m     
express+ simil>ity ( s]ial relation1 &  
exclud+ ! notion ( "t altoge!r1 _h be5  
employ$ to d5ote correspond5ce 9        
position 9 two or m s]ies ( /rata4  ,9  
anatomy1 :]e su* correspond5ce (        
position has con/antly to be spok5 (1 x 
is d5ot$ by ! ^w homology & its         

d]ivatives2 & = ,geology 7:i* aft] all  
is only ! anatomy & physiology ( ! e>?7 
x might be well to inv5t "s s+le ^w1 su*
 z homotaxis 7simil>ity ( ord]71 9 ord] 
to express an ess5tially simil> idea4   
,?is1 h[ev]1 has n be5 done1 & mo/      
probably ! inquiry w at once be         
made--,to :at end burd5 sci5ce ) a new &
 /range t]m 9 place ( "o old1 famili>1 &
 "p ( our common language8  ,! reply to 
?is "q w become obvi\s z ! inquiry into 
! results ( paleontology is pu%$ fur!r4 
,^? ^: bus9ess x is to acqua9t !mselves 
specially ) ! works ( paleontologi/s1 9 
fact1 w be fully aw>e t v few1 if any1  
w\ld re/ satisfi$ ) su* a /atem5t ( !   
conclusions ( _! bran* ( biology z t :i*
 has j be5 giv54  ,our /&>d rep]tories (
 paleontology pr(ess to tea* u f> high] 
?+s--to disclose ! entire succession (  
liv+ =ms ^u ! surface ( ! globe2 to tell
 u ( a :olly diff]5t di/ribution (      
climatic conditions 9 anci5t times2 to  
reveal ! "* ( ! fir/ ( all liv+         
exi/5ces2 & to trace out ! law (        

progress f !m to u4  ,x may n be        
unpr(itable to be/[ on ^! pr(essions a  
some:at m critical exam9ation ?an !y h  
hi!rto receiv$1 9 ord] to asc]ta9 h[ f> 
!y re/ on an irrefragable basis2 or     
:e!r1 aft] all1 x might n be well =     
paleontologi/s to le>n a little m       
c>efully t sci5tific ars artium1 ! art (
 say+ ,i don't "k4 ,& to ?is end let u  
def9e some:at m exactly ! ext5t ( ^!    
pret5sions ( paleontology4  ,e "o is    
aw>e t ,pr(essor ,bronn's ',unt]su*ung5'
 & ,pr(essor ,pictet's ',traite de      
,paleontologie' are works ( /&>d        
au?ority1 famili>ly consult$ by e work+ 
paleontologi/4 ,x is desirable to speak 
( ^! excell5t books1 & ( _! di/+ui%$    
au?ors1 ) ! utmo/ respect1 & 9 a tone z 
f> z possible remov$ f c>p+ criticism2  
inde$1 if !y are specially cit$ 9 ?is   
place1 x is m]ely 9 ju/ification ( !    
ass]tion t ! foll[+ propositions1 :i*   
may be f\nd implicitly1 or explicitly1 9
 ! works 9 "q1 are reg>d$ by ! mass (   
paleontologi/s & geologi/s1 n only on ! 

,cont95t b 9 ?is c\ntry1 z express+ "s (
 ! be/-e/abli%$ results ( paleontology4 
,?us3--  ,animals & plants began _!     
exi/5ce toge!r1 n long aft] ! comm5cem5t
 ( ! deposition ( ! s$im5t>y rocks2 & !n
 succe$$ "o ano!r1 9 su* a mann]1 t     
totally di/9ct faunae & florae occupi$ !
 :ole surface ( ! e>?1 "o aft] ! o!r1 & 
dur+ di/9ct epo*s ( "t4  ,a geological  
=mation is ! sum ( all ! /rata deposit$ 
ov] ! :ole surface ( ! e>? dur+ "o ( ^! 
epo*s3 a geological fauna or flora is ! 
sum ( all ! species ( animals or plants 
:i* occupi$ ! :ole surface ( ! globe1   
dur+ "o ( ^! epo*s4  ,! population ( !  
e>?'s surface 0 at fir/ v simil> 9 all  
p>ts1 & only f ! middle ( ! ,t]ti>y epo*
 onw>ds1 began to %[ a di/9ct           
di/ribution 9 zones4  ,! con/itution ( !
 orig9al population1 z well z ! num]ical
 proportions ( its memb]s1 indicates a  
w>m] &1 on ! :ole1 some:at tropical     
climate1 :i* rema9$ tol]ably equable    
?r\gh\t ! ye>4 ,! subsequ5t di/ribution 
( liv+ be+s 9 zones is ! result ( a     

gradual l[]+ ( ! g5]al temp]ature1 :i*  
fir/ began to be felt at ! poles4  ,x is
 n n[ propos$ to inquire :e!r ^!        
doctr9es are true or false2 b to direct 
y\r att5tion to a mu* simpl] ?\gh v     
ess5tial prelim9>y "q--,:at is _!       
logical basis8 :at are ! fundam5tal     
assumptions ^u :i* !y all logically     
dep5d8 & :at is ! evid5ce on :i* ^?     
fundam5tal propositions dem& our ass5t8 
,^! assumptions are two3 ! fir/1 t !    
comm5cem5t ( ! geological record is     
coeval ) ! comm5cem5t ( life on ! globe2
 ! second1 t geological contemporaneity 
is ! same ?+ z *ronological syn*rony4   
,)\t ! fir/ ( ^! assumptions !re w\ld ( 
c\rse be no gr\nd = any /atem5t respect+
 ! comm5cem5t ( life2 )\t ! second1 all 
! o!r /atem5ts cit$1 e "o ( :i* implies 
a k ( ! /ate ( diff]5t p>ts ( ! e>? at  
"o & ! same "t1 w be no less devoid (   
demon/ration4  ,! fir/ assumption       
obvi\sly re/s entirely on negative      
evid5ce4 ,?is is1 ( c\rse1 ! only       
evid5ce t ev] c be available to prove ! 

comm5cem5t ( any s]ies ( ph5om5a2 b1 at 
! same "t1 x mu/ be recollect$ t ! value
 ( negative evid5ce dep5ds entirely on !
 am\nt ( positive corroboration x       
receives4 ,if ,a ,b wi%es to prove an   
'alibi'1 x is ( no use = him to get a   
?\s& witnesses simply to swe> t !y did n
 see him 9 su* & su* a place1 unless !  
witnesses are prep>$ to prove t !y mu/ h
 se5 him _h he be5 !re4 ,b ! evid5ce t  
animal life comm5c$ ) ! ,l+ula-flags1   
'e4g4'1 w\ld seem to be exactly ( ?is   
unsatisfactory uncorroborat$ sort4 ,!   
,cambrian witnesses simply swe> !y      
hav5't se5 anybody _! way2 ^u :i* !     
c\nsel = ! o!r side imm$iately puts 9 t5
 or twelve ?\s& feet ( ,devonian s&/ones
 to make oa? !y nev] saw a fi% or a     
mollusk1 ?\gh all ! _w kn[s !re 7 pl5ty 
9 _! "t4  ,b !n x is urg$ t1 ?\gh !     
,devonian rocks 9 "o "p ( ! _w exhibit  
no fossils1 9 ano!r !y d1 :ile ! l[]    
,cambrian rocks n[h]e exhibit fossils1 &
 h5ce no liv+ be+ c\ld h exi/$ 9 _!     
epo*4  ,to ?is !re are two replies3 !   

fir/1 t ! obs]vational basis ( !        
ass]tion t ! l[e/ rocks are n[h]e       
fossilif]\s is an amaz+ly small "o1 see+
 h[ v small an area1 9 comp>ison to t ( 
! :ole _w1 has yet be5 fully se>*$2 !   
second1 t ! argum5t is good = no?+      
unless ! unfossilif]\s rocks 9 "q 7 n   
only 'contemporane\s' 9 ! geological    
s5se1 b 'syn*ron\s' 9 ! *ronological    
s5se4 ,to use ! 'alibi' illu/ration     
aga94 ,if a man wi%es to prove he 0 9   
nei!r ( two places1 ,a & ,b1 on a giv5  
day1 8 witnesses = ea* place mu/ be     
prep>$ to answ] = ! :ole day4 ,if !y c  
only prove t he 0 n at ,a 9 ! morn+1 & n
 at ,b 9 ! aft]noon1 ! evid5ce ( 8      
abs5ce f bo? is 'nil'1 because he might 
h be5 at ,b 9 ! morn+ & at ,a 9 !       
aft]noon4  ,?us ev]y?+ dep5ds ^u !      
validity ( ! second assumption4 ,& we   
mu/ proce$ to inquire :at is ! real     
mean+ ( ! ^w contemporane\s z employ$ by
 geologi/s4 ,to ?is end a concrete      
example may be tak54  ,! ,lias ( ,engl& 
& ! ,lias ( ,g]many1 ! ,cretace\s rocks 

( ,brita9 & ! ,cretace\s rocks ( ,s\!rn 
,india1 are t]m$ by geologi/s           
contemporane\s =mations2 b :5ev] any    
?\ghtful geologi/ is ask$ :e!r he means 
to say t !y 7 deposit$ syn*ron\sly1 he  
says1 ,no1--only )9 ! same great epo*4  
,& if1 9 pursu+ ! inquiry1 he is ask$   
:at may be ! approximate value 9 "t ( a 
great epo*--:e!r x means a hundr$ ye>s1 
or a ?\s&1 or a million1 or t5 million  
ye>s--8 reply is1 ,i _c tell4  ,if !    
fur!r "q be put1 :e!r physical geology  
is 9 possession ( any me?od by :i* !    
actual syn*rony 7or ! rev]se7 ( any two 
di/ant deposits c be asc]ta9$1 no su*   
me?od c be he>d (2 x be+ admitt$ by all 
! be/ au?orities t nei!r simil>ity (    
m9]al composition1 nor ( physical "*1   
nor ev5 direct cont9uity ( /ratum1 are  
'absolute' pro(s ( ! syn*ronism ( ev5   
approximat$ s$im5t>y /rata3 :ile1 =     
di/ant deposits1 !re seems to be no k9d 
( physical evid5ce atta9able ( a nature 
compet5t to decide :e!r su* deposits 7  
=m$ simultane\sly1 or :e!r !y possess   

any giv5 diff]5ce ( antiquity4 ,to      
return to an example already giv53 ,all 
compet5t au?orities w probably ass5t to 
! proposition t physical geology does n 
enable u 9 any way to reply to ?is      
"q--,7 ! ,briti% ,cretace\s rocks       
deposit$ at ! same "t z ^? ( ,india1 or 
are !y a million ( ye>s y\ng] or a      
million ( ye>s old]8  ,is paleontology  
able to succe$ :]e physical geology     
fails8 ,/&>d writ]s on paleontology1 z  
has be5 se51 assume t %e c4 ,!y take x =
 grant$1 t deposits conta9+ simil>      
organic rema9s are syn*ron\s--at any    
rate 9 a broad s5se2 & yet1 ^? :o w /udy
 ! elev5? & twelf? *apt]s ( ,sir ,h5ry  
,de ,la ,be*e's rem>kable ',rese>*es 9  
,!oretical ,geology'1 publi%$ n[ ne>ly  
?irty ye>s ago1 & w c>ry out ! argum5ts 
!re mo/ lum9\sly /at$1 to _! logical    
consequ5ces1 may v easily conv9ce       
!mselves t ev5 absolute id5tity (       
organic cont5ts is no pro( ( ! syn*rony 
( deposits1 :ile absolute div]sity is no
 pro( ( diff]5ce ( date4 ,sir ,h5ry ,de 

,la ,be*e goes ev5 fur!r1 & adduces     
conclusive evid5ce to %[ t ! diff]5t    
p>ts ( "o & ! same /ratum1 hav+ a simil>
 composition ?r\gh\t1 conta9+ ! same    
organic rema9s1 & hav+ simil> b$s above 
& bel[ x1 may yet diff] to any          
conceivable ext5t 9 age4  ,edw>d ,=bes 0
 9 ! habit ( ass]t+ t ! simil>ity ( !   
organic cont5ts ( di/ant =mations 0     
'prima facie' evid5ce1 n ( _! simil>ity1
 b ( _! diff]5ce ( age2 & hold+ z he did
 ! doctr9e ( s+le specific c5tres1 !    
conclusion 0 z legitimate z any o!r2 = !
 two di/ricts mu/ h be5 occupi$ by      
migration f "o ( ! two1 or f an         
int]m$iate spot1 & ! *ances aga9/ exact 
co9cid5ce ( migration & ( imb$d+ are    
inf9ite4  ,9 po9t ( fact1 h[ev]1 :e!r ! 
hypo!sis ( s+le or ( multiple specific  
c5tres be adopt$1 simil>ity ( organic   
cont5ts _c possibly af=d any pro( ( !   
syn*rony ( ! deposits :i* conta9 !m2 on 
! contr>y1 x is demon/rably compatible )
 ! lapse ( ! mo/ prodigi\s int]vals (   
"t1 & ) ! int]position ( va/ *anges 9 ! 

organic & inorganic worlds1 betwe5 !    
epo*s 9 :i* su* deposits 7 =m$4  ,on :at
 am\nt ( simil>ity ( _! faunae is !     
doctr9e ( ! contemporaneity ( !         
,european & ( ! ,nor? ,am]ican          
,silurians bas$8 ,9 ! la/ edition ( ,sir
 ,*>les ,lyell's ',elem5t>y ,geology' x 
is /at$1 on ! au?ority ( a =m] ,presid5t
 ( ?is ,society1 ! late ,daniel ,%>pe1 t
 betwe5 #cj & #dj p] c5t4 ( ! species ( 
,silurian ,mollusca are common to bo?   
sides ( ! ,atlantic4 ,by way ( due      
all[ance = fur!r discov]y1 let u d\ble !
 less] numb] & suppose t #fj p] c5t4 ( !
 species are common to ! ,nor? ,am]ican 
& ! ,briti% ,silurians4 ,sixty p] c5t4 (
 species 9 common is1 !n1 pro( (        
contemporaneity4  ,n[ suppose t1 a      
million or two ( ye>s h5ce1 :5 ,brita9  
has made ano!r dip b5ea? ! sea & has    
come up aga91 "s geologi/ applies ?is   
doctr9e1 9 comp>+ ! /rata laid b>e by ! 
upheaval ( ! bottom1 say1 ( ,/4         
,george's ,*annel ) :at may !n rema9 ( !
 ,suffolk ,crag4 ,reason+ 9 ! same way1 

he w at once decide ! ,suffolk ,crag & !
 ,/4 ,george's ,*annel b$s to be        
contemporane\s2 al?\gh we happ5 to "k t 
a va/ p]iod 7ev5 9 ! geological s5se7 ( 
"t1 & physical *anges ( almo/ unprec$5t$
 ext5t1 sep>ate ! two4  ,b if x be a    
demon/rable fact t /rata conta9+ m ?an  
#fj or #gj p] c5t4 ( species ( ,mollusca
 9 common1 & comp>atively close toge!r1 
may yet be sep>at$ by an am\nt (        
geological "t suffici5t to all[ ( "s ( !
 greate/ physical *anges ! _w has se51  
:at becomes ( t sort ( contemporaneity !
 sole evid5ce ( :i* is a simil>ity (    
facies1 or ! id5tity ( half a doz5      
species1 or ( a good _m g5]a8  ,& yet   
!re is no bett] evid5ce = !             
contemporaneity assum$ by all :o adopt !
 hypo!sis ( univ]sal faunae & florae1 ( 
a univ]sally uni=m climate1 & ( a       
s5sible cool+ ( ! globe dur+ geological 
"t4  ,!re seems1 !n1 no escape f !      
admission t nei!r physical geology1 nor 
paleontology1 possesses any me?od by :i*
 ! absolute syn*ronism ( two /rata c be 

demon/rat$4 ,all t geology c prove is   
local ord] ( succession4 ,x is          
ma!matically c]ta9 t1 9 any giv5 v]tical
 l9e> section ( an undi/urb$ s]ies (    
s$im5t>y deposits1 ! b$ :i* lies l[e/ is
 ! olde/4 ,9 _m o!r v]tical l9e>        
sections ( ! same s]ies1 ( c\rse1       
correspond+ b$s w occur 9 a simil> ord]2
 b1 h[ev] great may be ! probability1 no
 man c say ) absolute c]ta9ty t ! b$s 9 
! two sections 7 syn*ron\sly deposit$4  
,= areas ( mod]ate ext5t1 x is d\btless 
true t no practical evil is likely to   
result f assum+ ! correspond+ b$s to be 
syn*ron\s or /rictly contemporane\s2 &  
!re are multitudes ( accessory          
circum/ances :i* may fully ju/ify !     
assumption ( su* syn*rony4 ,b ! mom5t ! 
geologi/ has to deal ) l>ge areas1 or ) 
completely sep>at$ deposits1 ! mis*ief (
 conf\nd+ t homotaxis or simil>ity (    
arrangem5t1 :i* 'c' be demon/rat$1 )    
syn*rony or id5tity ( date1 = :i* !re is
 n a %ad[ ( pro(1 "u ! "o common t]m (  
contemporaneity becomes incalculable1 & 

proves ! con/ant s\rce ( gratuit\s      
speculations4  ,= any?+ t geology or    
paleontology are able to %[ to !        
contr>y1 a ,devonian fauna & flora 9 !  
,briti% ,isl&s may h be5 contemporane\s 
) ,silurian life 9 ,nor? ,am]ica1 & ) a 
,c>bonif]\s fauna & flora 9 ,africa4    
,geographical prov9ces & zones may h be5
 z di/9ctly m>k$ 9 ! ,paleozoic epo* z  
at pres5t1 & ^? seem+ly sudd5 appe>ances
 ( new g5]a & species1 :i* we ascribe to
 new creation1 may be simple results (  
migration4  ,x may be s2 x may be       
o!rwise4 ,9 ! pres5t condition ( our k &
 ( our me?ods1 "o v]dict--n prov51 & n  
provable--mu/ be record$ aga9/ all ! gr&
 hypo!ses ( ! paleontologi/ respect+ !  
g5]al succession ( life on ! globe4 ,!  
ord] & nature ( t]re/rial life1 z a     
:ole1 are op5 que/ions4 ,geology at     
pres5t provides u ) mo/ valuable        
topographical records1 b %e has n !     
means ( work+ !m into a univ]sal hi/ory4
 ,is su* a univ]sal hi/ory1 !n1 to be   
reg>d$ z unatta9able8 ,are all ! gr&e/ &

 mo/ int]e/+ problems :i* (f] !mselves  
to ! geological /ud5t ess5tially        
insoluble8 ,is he 9 ! position ( a      
sci5tific ,tantalus--doom$ always to    
?ir/ = a k :i* he _c obta98 ,! rev]se is
 to be hop$2 nay1 x may n be impossible 
to indicate ! s\rce :5ce help w come4   
,9 comm5c+ ^! rem>ks1 m5tion 0 made ( ! 
great obligations "u :i* ! naturali/    
lies to ! geologi/ & paleontologi/4     
,assur$ly ! "t w come :5 ^! obligations 
w be repaid t5fold1 & :5 ! maze ( ! _w's
 pa/ hi/ory1 ?r\gh :i* ! pure geologi/ &
 ! pure paleontologi/ f9d no guidance1 w
 be securely ?read$ by ! clue furni%$ by
 ! naturali/4  ,all :o are compet5t to  
express an op9ion on ! subject are1 at  
pres5t1 agre$ t ! manifold v>ieties (   
animal & vegetable =m h n ei!r come into
 exi/5ce by *ance1 nor result f         
caprici\s ex]tions ( creative p[]2 b t  
!y h tak5 place 9 a def9ite ord]1 !     
/atem5t ( :i* ord] is :at m5 ( sci5ce   
t]m a natural law4 ,:e!r su* a law is to
 be reg>d$ z an expression ( ! mode (   

op]ation ( natural =ces1 or :e!r x is   
simply a /atem5t ( ! mann] 9 :i* a      
sup]natural p[] has ?\ght fit to act1 is
 a second>y "q1 s long z ! exi/5ce ( !  
law & ! possibility ( its discov]y by ! 
human intellect are grant$4 ,b he mu/ be
 a half-he>t$ philosoph] :o1 believ+ 9 t
 possibility1 & hav+ wat*$ ! gigantic   
/rides ( ! biological sci5ces dur+ ! la/
 tw5ty ye>s1 d\bts t sci5ce w soon] or  
lat] make ?is fur!r /ep1 s z to become  
possess$ ( ! law ( evolution ( organic  
=ms--( ! unv>y+ ord] ( t great *a9 (    
causes & effects ( :i* all organic =ms1 
anci5t & mod]n1 are ! l9ks4 ,& !n1 if   
ev]1 we %all be able to beg9 to discuss1
 ) pr(it1 ! que/ions respect+ !         
comm5cem5t ( life1 & ! nature ( !       
successive populations ( ! globe1 :i* s 
_m seem to ?9k are already answ]$4  ,!  
prec$+ argum5ts make no p>ticul> claim  
to novelty2 inde$ !y h be5 float+ m or  
less di/9ctly be=e ! m9ds ( geologi/s = 
! la/ ?irty ye>s2 & if1 at ! pres5t "t1 
x has seem$ desirable to give !m m      

def9ite & sy/ematic expression1 x is    
because paleontology is e day assum+ a  
great] importance1 & n[ requires to re/ 
on a basis ! firmness ( :i* is ?or\ghly 
well assur$4 ,among its fundam5tal      
conceptions1 !re mu/ be no confusion    
betwe5 :at is c]ta9 & :at is m or less  
probable4 #b ,b1 p5d+ ! con/ruction ( a 
sur] f\ndation ?an paleontology n[      
possesses1 x may be in/ructive1 assum+ =
 ! nonce ! g5]al correctness ( ! ord9>y 
hypo!sis ( geological contemporaneity1  
to consid] :e!r ! d$uctions :i* are     
ord9>ily drawn f ! :ole body (          
paleontologic facts are ju/ifiable4  ,! 
evid5ce on :i* su* conclusions are bas$ 
is ( two k9ds1 negative & positive4 ,!  
value ( negative evid5ce1 9 connection )
 ?is inquiry1 has be5 s fully & cle>ly  
discuss$ 9 an address f ! *air ( ?is    
,society #c1 :i* none ( u h =gott51 t   
no?+ ne$ at pres5t be said ab\t x2 ! m1 
z ! consid]ations :i* h be5 laid be=e y 
h c]ta9ly n t5d$ to increase y\r        
e/imation ( su* evid5ce4 ,x w be        

pref]able to turn to ! positive facts ( 
paleontology1 & to inquire :at !y tell  
u4  ,we are all accu/om$ to speak ( !   
numb] & ! ext5t ( ! *anges 9 ! liv+     
population ( ! globe dur+ geological "t 
z some?+ enorm\s3 & inde$ !y are s1 if  
we reg>d only ! negative diff]5ces :i*  
sep>ate ! old] rocks f ! m mod]n1 & if  
we look ^u specific & g5]ic *anges z    
great *anges1 :i* f "o po9t ( view1 !y  
truly are4 ,b leav+ ! negative diff]5ces
 out ( consid]ation1 & look+ only at !  
positive data furni%$ by ! fossil _w f a
 broad] po9t ( view--f t ( ! comp>ative 
anatomi/ :o has made ! /udy ( ! great]  
modifications ( animal =m 8 *ief        
bus9ess--a surprise ( ano!r k9d dawns ^u
 ! m9d2 & "u '?is' aspect ! smallness ( 
! total *ange becomes z a/oni%+ z 0 its 
greatness "u ! o!r4  ,!re are two hundr$
 kn[n ord]s ( plants2 ( ^! n "o is      
c]ta9ly kn[n to exi/ exclusively 9 !    
fossil /ate4 ,! :ole lapse ( geological 
"t has z yet yield$ n a s+le new ord9al 
type ( vegetable /ructure4 #d  ,!       

positive *ange 9 pass+ f ! rec5t to !   
anci5t animal _w is great]1 b /ill      
s+ul>ly small4 ,no fossil animal is s   
di/9ct f ^? n[ liv+ z to require to be  
arrang$ ev5 9 a sep>ate class f ^? :i*  
conta9 exi/+ =ms4 ,x is only :5 we come 
to ! ord]s1 :i* may be r\ghly e/imat$ at
 ab\t a hundr$ & ?irty1 t we meet )     
fossil animals s di/9ct f ^? n[ liv+ z  
to require ord]s = !mselves2 & ^! d n   
am\nt1 on ! mo/ lib]al e/imate1 to m ?an
 ab\t #aj p] c5t4 ( ! :ole4  ,!re is no 
c]ta9ly kn[n ext9ct ord] ( ,protozoa2   
!re is b "o among ! ,coel5t]ata--t ( !  
rugose corals2 !re is none among !      
,mollusca2 !re are ?ree1 ! ,cy/idea1    
,bla/oidea1 & ,edrioa/]ida1 among !     
,e*9od]ms2 & two1 ! ,trilobita &        
,eurypt]ida1 among ! ,cru/acea2 mak+    
altoge!r five = ! great sub-k+dom (     
,annulosa4 ,among ,v]tebrates !re is no 
ord9ally di/9ct fossil fi%3 !re is only 
"o ext9ct ord] ( ,amphibia--!           
,labyr9?odonts2 b !re are at lea/ f\r   
di/9ct ord]s ( ,reptilia1 viz4 !        

,i*?yosauria1 ,plesiosauria1            
,pt]osauria1 ,d9osauria1 & p]haps ano!r 
or two4 ,!re is no kn[n ext9ct ord] (   
,birds1 & no c]ta9ly kn[n ext9ct ord] ( 
,mammals1 ! ord9al di/9ctness ( !       
,toxodontia be+ d\btful4  ,! objection t
 broad /atem5ts ( ?is k9d1 aft] all1 re/
 l>gely on negative evid5ce is obvi\s1 b
 x has less =ce ?an may at fir/ be      
suppos$2 =1 z might be expect$ f !      
circum/ances ( ! case1 we possess m     
abundant positive evid5ce reg>d+ ,fi%es 
& m>9e ,mollusks ?an respect+ any o!r   
=ms ( animal life2 & yet ^! (f] u1 ?r\gh
 ! :ole range ( geological "t1 no       
species ord9ally di/9ct f ^? n[ liv+2   
:ile ! f> less num]\s class ( ,e*9od]ms 
pres5ts ?ree2 & ! ,cru/acea two1 su*    
ord]s1 ?\gh none ( ^! come d[n lat] ?an 
! ,paleozoic age4 ,la/ly1 ! ,reptilia   
pres5t ! extraord9>y & exceptional      
ph5om5on ( z _m ext9ct z exi/+ ord]s1 if
 n m2 ! f\r m5tion$ ma9ta9+ _! exi/5ce f
 ! ,lias to ! ,*alk inclusive4  ,"s ye>s
 ago "o ( y\r ,secret>ies po9t$ out     

ano!r k9d ( positive paleontologic      
evid5ce t5d+ t[>ds ! same               
conclusion--af=d$ by ! exi/5ce ( :at he 
t]m$ p]si/5t types ( vegetable & (      
animal life4 #e ,he /at$1 on ! au?ority 
( ,dr4 ,hook]1 t !re are ,c>bonif]\s    
plants :i* appe> to be g5]ically        
id5tical ) "s n[ liv+2 t ! cone ( !     
,oolitic ',arauc>ia' is h>dly           
di/+ui%able f t ( an exi/+ species2 t a 
true ',p9us' appe>s 9 ! ,purbecks1 & a  
',juglans' 9 ! ,*alk2 :ile1 f ! ,bag%ot 
,s&s1 a ',banksia'1 ! wood ( :i* is n   
di/+ui%able f t ( species n[ liv+ 9     
,au/ralia1 _h be5 obta9$4  ,turn+ to !  
animal k+dom1 he affirm$ ! tabulate     
corals ( ! ,silurian rocks to be        
wond]fully l ^? :i* n[ exi/2 :ile ev5 ! 
families ( ! ,aporosa 7 all repres5t$ 9 
! old] ,mesozoic rocks4  ,among !       
,molluska simil> facts 7 adduc$4 ,let x 
be borne 9 m9d t ',avicula'1 ',mytails'1
 ',*iton'1 ',natica'1 ',patella'1       
',tro*us'1 ',disc9a'1 ',orbicula'1      
',l+ula'1 ',rhyn*onella'1 & ',nautilus'1

 all ( :i* are exi/+ 'g5]a'1 are giv5   
)\t a d\bt z ,silurian 9 ! la/ edition (
 ',siluria'2 :ile ! highe/ =ms ( !      
highe/ ,cephalopods are repres5t$ 9 !   
,lias by a g5us1 ',belemnoteu?is'1 :i*  
pres5ts ! close/ relation to ! exi/+    
',loligo'4  ,! two highe/ gr\ps ( !     
,annulosa1 ! ,insecta & ! ,ara*nida1 are
 repres5t$ 9 ! ,coal1 ei!r by exi/+     
g5]a1 or by =ms diff]+ f exi/+ g5]a 9 q 
m9or peculi>ities4  ,turn+ to !         
,v]tebrata1 ! only ,paleozoic           
,elasmobran* ,fi% ( :i* we h any        
complete k is ! ,devonian & ,c>bonif]\s 
',pleuracan?us'1 :i* diff]s no m f exi/+
 ,%>ks ?an ^! d f "o ano!r4  ,aga91 va/ 
z is ! numb] ( und\bt$ly ,ganoid fossil 
,fi%es1 & great z is _! range 9 "t1 a   
l>ge mass ( evid5ce has rec5tly be5     
adduc$ to %[ t almo/ all ^? respect+ :i*
 we possess suffici5t in=mation1 are    
ref]able to ! same sub-ord9al gr\ps z ! 
exi/+ ',lepido/eus'1 ',polypt]us'1 &    
,/urgeon2 & t a s+ul> relation obta9s   
betwe5 ! old] & ! y\ng] ,fi%es2 ! =m]1 !

 ,devonian ,ganoids1 be+ almo/ all      
memb]s ( ! same sub-ord] z ',polypt]us'1
 :ile ! ,mesozoic ,ganoids are almo/ all
 simil>ly alli$ to ',lepido/eus'4 #f    
,aga91 :at c be m rem>kable ?an ! s+ul> 
con/ancy ( /ructure pres]v$ ?r\gh\t a   
va/ p]iod ( "t by ! family ( !          
,pycnodonts & by t ( ! true ,coelacan?s2
 ! =m] p]si/+1 ) b insignificant        
modifications1 f ! ,c>bonif]\s to !     
,t]ti>y rocks1 inclusive2 ! latt] exi/+1
 ) /ill less *ange1 f ! ,c>bonif]\s     
rocks to ! ,*alk1 inclusive8  ,among    
,reptiles1 ! highe/ liv+ gr\p1 t ( !    
,crocodilia1 is repres5t$1 at ! e>ly "p 
( ! ,mesozoic epo*1 by species id5tical 
9 ! ess5tial *>act]s ( _! organization )
 ^? n[ liv+1 & diff]+ f ! latt] only 9  
su* matt]s z ! =m ( ! articul> facets ( 
! v]tebral c5tra1 9 ! ext5t to :i* !    
nasal passages are sep>at$ f ! cavity ( 
! m\? by bone1 & 9 ! proportions ( !    
limbs4  ,& ev5 z reg>ds ! ,mammalia1 !  
scanty rema9s ( ,triassic & ,oolitic    
species af=d no f\ndation = !           

supposition t ! organization ( ! olde/  
=ms diff]$ ne>ly s mu* f "s ( ^? :i* n[ 
live z ^! diff] f "o ano!r4  ,x is      
ne$less to multiply ^! in/ances2 en\gh  
has be5 said to ju/ify ! /atem5t t1 9   
view ( ! imm5se div]sity ( kn[n animal &
 vegetable =ms1 & ! enorm\s lapse ( "t  
indicat$ by ! accumulation ( fossilif]\s
 /rata1 ! only circum/ance to be wond]$ 
at is1 n t ! *anges ( life1 z exhibit$  
by positive evid5ce1 h be5 s great1 b t 
!y h be5 s small4  ,be !y great or      
small1 h[ev]1 x is desirable to attempt 
to e/imate !m4 ,let u1 !re=e1 take ea*  
great division ( ! animal _w 9          
succession1 &1 :5ev] an ord] or a family
 c be %[n to h _h a prolong$ exi/5ce1   
let u endeav\r to asc]ta9 h[ f> ! lat]  
memb]s ( ! gr\p diff] f ! e>li] ones4   
,if ^! lat] memb]s1 9 all or 9 _m cases1
 exhibit a c]ta9 am\nt ( modification1 !
 fact is1 s f>1 evid5ce 9 fav\r ( a     
g5]al law ( *ange2 &1 9 a r\gh way1 !   
rapidity ( t *ange w be measur$ by !    
demon/rable am\nt ( modification4 ,on ! 

o!r h&1 x mu/ be recollect$ t ! abs5ce (
 any modification1 :ile x may leave !   
doctr9e ( ! exi/5ce ( a law ( *ange )\t 
positive support1 _c possibly disprove  
all =ms ( t doctr9e1 ?\gh x may af=d a  
suffici5t refutation ( any ( !m4  ,!    
,,protozoa4--,! ,protozoa are repres5t$ 
?r\gh\t ! :ole range ( geological s]ies1
 f ! ,l[] ,silurian =mation to ! pres5t 
day4 ,! mo/ anci5t =ms rec5tly made kn[n
 by ,ehr5b]g are exce$+ly l ^? :i* n[   
exi/3 no "o has ev] pret5d$ t ! diff]5ce
 betwe5 any anci5t & any mod]n ,=am9if]a
 is ( m ?an g5]ic value1 nor are ! olde/
 ,=am9if]a ei!r simpl]1 m embryonic1 or 
less diff]5tiat$1 ?an ! exi/+ =ms4  ,!  
,,coel5t]ata4--,! ,tabulate ,corals h   
exi/$ f ! ,silurian epo* to ! pres5t    
day1 b ,i am n aw>e t ! anci5t          
',heliolites' possesses a s+le m>k ( a m
 embryonic or less diff]5tiat$ "*1 or   
less high organization1 ?an ! exi/+     
',heliopora'4 ,z = ! ,aporose ,corals1 9
 :at respect is ! ,silurian             
',paleocyclus' less highly organiz$ or m

 embryonic ?an ! mod]n ',fungia'1 or !  
,liassic ,aporosa ?an ! exi/+ memb]s ( !
 same families8  ,! ',mollusca'4--,9 :at
 s5se is ! liv+ ',waldheimia' less      
embryonic1 or m specializ$2 ?an !       
paleozoic ',spirif]'2 or ! exi/+        
',rhyn*onellae'1 ',craniae'1 ',disc9ae'1
 ',l+ulae'1 ?an ! ,silurian species ( ! 
same g5]a8 ,9 :at s5se c ',loligo' or   
',spirula' be said to be m specializ$1  
or less embryonic1 ?an ',belemnites'2 or
 ! mod]n species ( ,lamellibran* &      
,ga/]opod g5]a1 ?an ! ,silurian species 
( ! same g5]a8  ,! ,,annulosa4--,!      
,c>bonif]\s ,insecta & ,ara*nida are    
nei!r less specializ$1 nor m embryonic1 
?an ^! t n[ live1 nor are ! ,liassic    
,cirrip$ia & ,macrura2 :ile sev]al ( !  
,bra*yura1 :i* appe> 9 ! ,*alk1 belong  
to exi/+ g5]a2 & none exhibit ei!r an   
int]m$iate1 or an embryonic1 "*4  ,!    
,,v]tebr>a4--,among fi%es ,i h ref]r$ to
 ! ,coelacan?9i 7compris+ ! g5]a        
',coelacan?us'1 ',holophagus'1 ',und9a'1
 & ',macropoma'7 z af=d+ an example ( a 

p]si/5t type2 & x is mo/ rem>kable to   
note ! smallness ( ! diff]5ces betwe5   
any ( ^! fi%es 7affect+ at mo/ !        
proportions ( ! body & f9s1 & ! "* &    
sculpture ( ! scales71 not)/&+ _!       
enorm\s range 9 "t4 ,9 all ! ess5tials (
 its v peculi> /ructure1 ! ',macropoma' 
( ! ,*alk is id5tical ) ! ',coelacan?us'
 ( ! ,coal4 ,look at ! g5us             
',lepidotus'1 aga91 p]si/+ )\t a        
modification ( importance f ! ,liassic  
to ! ,eoc5e =mations inclusive4  ,or    
among ! ,teleo/ei--9 :at respect is !   
',b]yx' ( ! ,*alk m embryonic1 or less  
diff]5tiat$1 ?an ',b]yx l9eatus' ( ,k+  
,george's ,s\nd8  ,or to turn to ! high]
 ,v]tebrata--9 :at s5se are ! ,liassic  
,*elonia inf]ior to ^? :i* n[ exi/8 ,h[ 
are ! ,cretace\s ,i*?yosauria1          
,plesiosauria1 or ,pt]osauria less      
embryonic1 or m diff]5tiat$1 species ?an
 ^? ( ! ,lias8  ,or la/ly1 9 :at        
circum/ance is ! ',phascolo!rium' m     
embryonic1 or ( a m g5]aliz$ type1 ?an !
 mod]n ,opossum2 or a ',lophiodon'1 or a

 ',paleo!rium'1 ?an a mod]n ',tapirus'  
or ',hyrax'8  ,^! examples might be     
almo/ indef9itely multipli$1 b surely !y
 are suffici5t to prove t ! only safe & 
unque/ionable te/imony we c             
procure--positive evid5ce--fails to     
demon/rate any sort ( progressive       
modification t[>ds a less embryonic1 or 
less g5]alis$1 type 9 a great _m gr\ps (
 animals ( long-cont9u$ geological      
exi/5ce4 ,9 ^! gr\ps !re is abundant    
evid5ce ( v>iation--none ( :at is       
ord9>ily und]/ood z progression2 &1 if !
 kn[n geological record is to be reg>d$ 
z ev5 any consid]able fragm5t ( ! :ole1 
x is inconceivable t any !ory ( a       
necess>ily progressive developm5t c /&1 
= ! num]\s ord]s & families cit$ af=d no
 trace ( su* a process4  ,b x is a mo/  
rem>kable fact1 t1 :ile ! gr\ps :i* h   
be5 m5tion$1 & _m besides1 exhibit no   
sign ( progressive modification1 !re are
 o!rs1 co-exi/+ ) !m1 "u ! same         
conditions1 9 :i* m or less di/9ct      
indications ( su* a process seems to be 

traceable4 ,among su* indications ,i may
 rem9d y ( ! pr$om9ance ( ,holo/ome     
,ga/]opoda 9 ! old] rocks z comp>$ ) t (
 ,siphono/ome ,ga/]opoda 9 ! lat]4 ,a   
case less op5 to ! objection ( negative 
evid5ce1 h[ev]1 is t af=d$ by !         
,tetrabran*iate ,cephalopoda1 ! =ms ( ! 
%ells & ( ! septal sutures exhibit+ a   
c]ta9 increase ( complexity 9 ! new]    
g5]a4 ,"h1 h[ev]1 "o is met at once ) ! 
occurr5ce ( ',or?oc]as' & ',baculites'  
at ! two ends ( ! s]ies1 & ( ! fact t "o
 ( ! simple/ ,g5]a1 ',nautilus'1 is t   
:i* n[ exi/s4  ,! ,cr9oidea1 9 !        
abundance ( /alk$ =ms 9 ! anci5t        
=mations z comp>$ ) _! pres5t r>ity1    
seem to pres5t u ) a fair case (        
modification f a m embryonic t[>ds a    
less embryonic condition4 ,b !n1 on     
c>eful consid]ation ( ! facts1 !        
objection arises t ! /alk1 calyx1 & arms
 ( ! paleozoic ,cr9oid are exce$+ly     
diff]5t f ! correspond+ organs ( a l>val
 ',comatula'2 & x might ) p]fect ju/ice 
be argu$ t ',act9ocr9us' &              

',eucalyptocr9us'1 = example1 dep>t to !
 full z widely1 9 "o direction1 f !     
/alk$ embryo ( ',comatula'1 z           
',comatula' itself does 9 ! o!r4  ,!    
,e*9idea1 aga91 are frequ5tly quot$ z   
exhibit+ a gradual passage f a m        
g5]aliz$ to a m specializ$ type1 see+ t 
! elongat$1 or oval1 ,spatangoids appe> 
aft] ! sph]oidal ,e*9oids4 ,b "h x might
 be argu$1 on ! o!r h&1 t ! sph]oidal   
,e*9oids1 9 reality1 dep>t fur!r f !    
g5]al plan & f ! embryonic =m ?an !     
elongat$ ,spatangoids d2 & t ! peculi>  
d5tal app>atus & ! p$icell>iae ( ! =m]  
are m>ks ( at lea/ z great diff]5tiation
 z ! petaloid ambulacra & semitae ( !   
latt]4  ,once m1 ! preval5ce ( ,macrur\s
 be=e ,bra*yur\s ,podoph?almia is1      
app>5tly1 a fair piece ( evid5ce 9 fav\r
 ( progressive modification 9 ! same    
ord] ( ,cru/acea2 & yet ! case w n /&   
mu* sift+1 see+ t ! ,macrur\s           
,podoph?almia dep>t z f> 9 "o direction 
f ! common type ( ,podoph?almia1 or f   
any embryonic condition ( ! ,bra*yura1 z

 ! ,bra*yura d 9 ! o!r2 & t ! middle    
t]ms betwe5 ,macrura & ,bra*yura--!     
,anomura--are little bett] repres5t$ 9 !
 old] ,mesozoic rocks ?an ! ,bra*yura   
are4  ,none ( ! cases ( progressive     
modification :i* are cit$ f among !     
,inv]tebrata appe> to me to h a         
f\ndation less op5 to criticism ?an ^!2 
& if ?is be s1 no c>eful reason] w\ld1  
,i ?9k1 be incl9$ to lay v great /ress  
^u !m4 ,among ! ,v]tebrata1 h[ev]1 !re  
are a few examples :i* appe> to be f>   
less op5 to objection4  ,x is1 9 fact1  
true ( sev]al gr\ps ( ,v]tebrata :i* h  
liv$ ?r\gh a consid]able range ( "t1 t !
 endoskeleton 7m p>ticul>ly ! sp9al     
column7 ( ! old] g5]a pres5ts a less    
ossifi$1 &1 s f>1 less diff]5tiat$1     
condition ?an t ( ! y\ng] g5]a4 ,?us !  
,devonian ,ganoids1 ?\gh almo/ all      
memb]s ( ! same sub-ord] z ',polypt]us'1
 & pres5t+ num]\s important resemblances
 to ! exi/+ g5us1 :i* possesses         
biconcave v]tebrae1 are1 = ! mo/ "p1    
:olly devoid ( ossifi$ v]tebral c5tra4  

,! ,mesozoic ,lepido/eidae1 aga91 h1 at 
mo/1 biconcave v]tebrae1 :ile ! exi/+   
',lepido/eus' has ,salam&roid1          
opi/hocoel\s1 v]tebrae4 ,s1 none ( !    
,paleozoic ,%>ks h %[n !mselves to be   
possess$ ( ossifi$ v]tebrae1 :ile !     
majority ( mod]n ,%>ks possess su*      
v]tebrae4 ,aga91 ! m anci5t ,crocodilia 
& ,lac]tilia h v]tebrae ) ! articul>    
facets ( _! c5tra flatt5$ or biconcave1 
:ile ! mod]n memb]s ( ! same gr\p h !m  
procoel\s4 ,b ! mo/ rem>kable examples (
 progressive modification ( ! v]tebral  
column1 9 correspond5ce ) geological    
age1 are ^? af=d$ by ! ,pycnodonts among
 fi%1 & ! ,labyr9?odonts among          
,amphibia4  ,! late able i*?yologi/     
,heckel po9t$ out ! fact1 t1 :ile !     
,pycnodonts nev] possess true v]tebral  
c5tra1 !y diff] 9 ! degree ( expansion &
 ext5sion ( ! ends ( ! bony ar*es ( !   
v]tebrae ^u ! %ea? ( ! noto*ord2 !      
,c>bonif]\s =ms exhibit+ h>dly any su*  
expansion1 :ile ! ,mesozoic g5]a pres5t 
a great] & great] developm5t1 until1 9 !

 ,t]ti>y =ms1 ! exp&$ ends become       
suturally unit$ s z to =m a sort ( false
 v]tebra4 ,h]mann von ,mey]1 aga91 to ^:
 lum9\s rese>*es we are indebt$ = our   
pres5t l>ge k ( ! organization ( ! old] 
,labyr9?odonts1 has prov$ t !           
,c>bonif]\s ',ar*egosaurus' _h v        
imp]fectly develop$ v]tebral c5tra1 :ile
 ! ,triassic ',ma/odonsaurus' _h ! same 
p>ts completely ossifi$4 #g  ,!         
regul>ity & ev5ness ( ! d5tition ( !    
',anoplo!rium'1 z contra/$ ) t ( exi/+  
,artiodactyles1 & ! assum$ ne>] approa* 
( ! d5tition ( c]ta9 anci5t ,c>nivores  
to ! typical arrangem5t1 h also be5 cit$
 z exemplifications ( a law (           
progressive developm5t1 b ,i "k ( no o!r
 cases bas$ on positive evid5ce :i* are 
wor?y ( p>ticul> notice4  ,:at1 !n1 does
 an imp>tial survey ( ! positively      
asc]ta9$ tru?s ( paleontology te/ify 9  
relation to ! common doctr9es (         
progressive modification1 :i* suppose t 
modification to h tak5 place by a       
necess>y progress f m to less embryonic 

=ms1 or f m to less g5]aliz$ types1 )9 !
 limits ( ! p]iod repres5t$ by !        
fossilif]\s rocks8  ,x negatives ^?     
doctr9es2 = x ei!r %[s u no evid5ce (   
any su* modification1 or demon/rates x  
to h be5 v slight2 & z to ! nature ( t  
modification1 x yields no evid5ce       
:atsoev] t ! e>li] memb]s ( any         
long-cont9u$ gr\p 7 m g5]aliz$ 9        
/ructure ?an ! lat] ones4 ,to a c]ta9   
ext5t1 inde$1 x may be said t imp]fect  
ossification ( ! v]tebral column is an  
embryonic "*2 b1 on ! o!r h&1 x w\ld be 
extremely incorrect to suppose t !      
v]tebral columns ( ! old] ,v]tebrata are
 9 any s5se embryonic 9 _! :ole         
/ructure4  ,obvi\sly1 if ! e>lie/       
fossilif]\s rocks n[ kn[n are coeval ) !
 comm5cem5t ( life1 & if _! cont5ts give
 u any j conception ( ! nature & ! ext5t
 ( ! e>lie/ fauna & flora1 !            
insignificant am\nt ( modification :i* c
 be demon/rat$ to h tak5 place 9 any "o 
gr\p ( animals1 or plants1 is q         
incompatible ) ! hypo!sis t all liv+ =ms

 are ! results ( a necess>y process (   
progressive developm5t1 entirely        
compris$ )9 ! "t repres5t$ by !         
fossilif]\s rocks4  ,contr>iwise1 any   
admissible hypo!sis ( progressive       
modification mu/ be compatible )        
p]si/5ce )\t progression1 ?r\gh         
indef9ite p]iods4 ,& %\ld su* an        
hypo!sis ev5tually be prov$ to be true1 
9 ! only way 9 :i* x c be demon/rat$1   
viz4 by obs]vation & exp]im5t ^u ! exi/+
 =ms ( life1 ! conclusion w inevitably  
pres5t itself1 t ! ,paleozoic1          
,mesozoic1 & ,ca9ozoic faunae & florae1 
tak5 toge!r1 be> some:at ! same         
proportion to ! :ole s]ies ( liv+ be+s  
:i* h occupi$ ?is globe1 z ! exi/+ fauna
 & flora d to !m4  ,su* are ! results ( 
paleontology z !y appe>1 & h = "s ye>s  
appe>$1 to ! m9d ( an inquir] :o reg>ds 
t /udy simply z "o ( ! applications ( ! 
great biological sci5ces1 & :o desires  
to see x plac$ ^u ! same s\nd basis z   
o!r bran*es ( physical inquiry4 ,if !   
argum5ts :i* h be5 br\ght =w>d are      

valid1 probably no "o1 9 view ( ! pres5t
 /ate ( op9ion1 w be incl9$ to ?9k ! "t 
wa/$ :i* has be5 sp5t ^u _! elaboration4
      ,footnote #a3 ,! ,anniv]s>y       
,address to ! ,geological ,society =    
#ahfb4  ,footnote #b3 le plus gr& s]vice
 qu'on puisse r5dre a la sci5ce e/ d'y  
faire place nette avant d'y ri5         
con/ruire4--,,cuvi]  ,footnote #c3      
,anniv]s>y ,address = #ahea1 ',qu>t4    
,j\rn4 ,geol4 ,soc4' vol4 vii4          
,footnote #d3 ,see ,hook]'s             
',introductory ,essay to ! ,flora (     
,tasmania'1 p4 xxiii4  ,footnote #e3    
,see ! ab/ract ( a ,lecture ,on !       
,p]si/5t ,types ( ,animal ,life1 9 !    
',notices ( ! ,meet+s ( ! ,royal        
,in/itution ( ,great ,brita9'4--,june   
#c1 #ahei1 vol4 iii4 p4 #aea4  ,footnote
 #f3 ,memoirs ( ! ,geological ,survey ( 
! ,unit$ ,k+dom4--,decade x4 ,prelim9>y 
,essay ^u ! ,sy/ematic ,arrangem5t ( !  
,fi%es ( ! ,devonian ,epo*4  ,footnote  
#g3 ,z ! ,address is pass+ ?r\gh ! press
 7,m>* #g1 #ahfb71 evid5ce lies be=e me 

( ! exi/5ce ( a new ,labyr9?odont       
7',pholidoga/]'71 f ! ,ed9burgh         
coal-field1 ) well-ossifi$ v]tebral     
c5tra4