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Show 652 MR. W. H. NEALE ON THE NATURAL [Nov. 14 explained by a mere reference to the great range of specific variability which, as we now know, obtains in the Comatulidse. What may be ignorance or prejudice on the part of a naturalist is, if it be possible, to be kept out of the systematic register; and I content myself therefore with expressing an opinion without letting it appear in the technical title of the species. A case of this kind forces on one's mind a reconsideration of the doctrines of a polyphyletic and a monophyletic origin of species, and, as Semper1 has distinctly shown, of the further question of the difference between the real or objective, as opposed to the systematic or subjective view of what constitutes a species-a difference, which may perhaps be put in other words, as that which obtains between a Linnean and a genetic conception of specific relationship. That the Antedon eschrichti of Greenland and the A. eschrichti, var. magellanica, ever had a common ancestor belonging to the species A. eschrichti seems to m e barely credible. All, at any rate, that I mean in now placing the Magellan form in the same species as A. eschrichti is that, looking to those structural characters by which naturalists distinguish species from one another, I cannot find enough to justify m e in forming a " new species." But I would not like to be thought to have failed to recognize that in the discrimination of the homogenetic and the homoplastic factors of species, we have at present no criterion other than what even a friendly critic might call our ignorance. Chorology and Palaeontology will have to do for species what Comparison and Embryology are doing for organs. 6. Notes on the Natural History of Franz-Josef Land as observed in 1881-82. B y W . H . N E A L E , M.B., Medical Officer of the fEira' Expedition. (Communicated by Prof. N E W T O N . ) [Received October 25, 1882.] On July 25th, 1881, the 'Eira' expedition reached Gray Bay, Franz-Josef Land. At Cape Crowther and Cape Grant there are large loomeries ; a short distance up the bay, on the west side, many Rotges had their young among the basaltic columns of the lofty cliffs. O n the east side, near the head of Gray Bay, there were a good number of Snow-birds and Dovekies building, but too high for any one to climb and obtain the eggs. At Cape Stephen there was a large loomery ; and at Cape Forbes there were a few Looms, a good number of Rotges and Dovekies, and some Snow-birds. At Bell Island the same species were also seen; and on the south side there was a large loomery, and a great number of Kittiwakes' nests, also Dovekies, Rotges, Snow-birds, and Burgomasters. Rain- 1 • Animal Life,' p. 462. |