286 THE GROUNDWORK OF SCIENCE

Yet all these species have their special properties and

active powers their definite physiology as have, pre-

eminently, all crystalline substances their complete and

specific anatomy.

Passing now from the consideration of the inorganic world

to that of the world of life, and granting the truth of the

hypothesis of evolution, it seems to us clear that we ought

to start on our inquiry imbued with the lesson impressed

on us by the characteristics of the practically infinite and

eternal laws of the inorganic universe, which lies apart

from the brief and passing episode of existences endowed

with life.

The anticipations of the kind with which we shall thus set

out on our exploration will by no means be disappointed

when we come to consider the beautiful sculpturing of the

hard parts of many very lowly organisms, such as Diatoms,

and the complex symmetry displayed by Foraminifera,

and, above all, by the siliceous skeletons of numerous

Radiolarians. How remarkable is the sculpture on certain

pollen grains, on many an egg shell, as also the patterns on

various shells, and on multitudes of feathers and of flowers.

ness apart) have been evolved by means of the constantly-recurring exercise of

choice by the female amongst contending suitors. We thus find it as im-

possible as ever to believe that the brilliant tints displayed by certain apes were

thus produced, when we recall to mind what are the psychical natures of the

females, and the physical force of their would-be spouses.

The tastes of female animals also must not only have been strangely diverse but

wonderfully persistent. One of the oddest notions thus promulgated was the

assignment to such feminine influence the gradual denuding of men's backs of the

hairy coat with which they were supposed to be at first copiously clothed. It is

evident that the primitive ladies of the Kalmuck and Persian nationalities differed

widely in their sentiments as regards the beard ; but, nevertheless (if the theory is

true), the females of every tribe and nation of mankind- in spite of the frequent

mutations of fashion must have unanimously and persistently agreed in abhorring

hirsute shoulders, and this though the females amongst their immediate pithecoid,

supposed ancestors entertained a directly opposite sentiment. We refer our

readers, as to sexual selection, to a work on Animal Coloration, by Mr. FRANK

E. BEDHARD, F.R.S., London, 1892.

Yet all these species have their special properties and

active powers their definite physiology as have, pre-

eminently, all crystalline substances their complete and

specific anatomy.

Passing now from the consideration of the inorganic world

to that of the world of life, and granting the truth of the

hypothesis of evolution, it seems to us clear that we ought

to start on our inquiry imbued with the lesson impressed

on us by the characteristics of the practically infinite and

eternal laws of the inorganic universe, which lies apart

from the brief and passing episode of existences endowed

with life.

The anticipations of the kind with which we shall thus set

out on our exploration will by no means be disappointed

when we come to consider the beautiful sculpturing of the

hard parts of many very lowly organisms, such as Diatoms,

and the complex symmetry displayed by Foraminifera,

and, above all, by the siliceous skeletons of numerous

Radiolarians. How remarkable is the sculpture on certain

pollen grains, on many an egg shell, as also the patterns on

various shells, and on multitudes of feathers and of flowers.

ness apart) have been evolved by means of the constantly-recurring exercise of

choice by the female amongst contending suitors. We thus find it as im-

possible as ever to believe that the brilliant tints displayed by certain apes were

thus produced, when we recall to mind what are the psychical natures of the

females, and the physical force of their would-be spouses.

The tastes of female animals also must not only have been strangely diverse but

wonderfully persistent. One of the oddest notions thus promulgated was the

assignment to such feminine influence the gradual denuding of men's backs of the

hairy coat with which they were supposed to be at first copiously clothed. It is

evident that the primitive ladies of the Kalmuck and Persian nationalities differed

widely in their sentiments as regards the beard ; but, nevertheless (if the theory is

true), the females of every tribe and nation of mankind- in spite of the frequent

mutations of fashion must have unanimously and persistently agreed in abhorring

hirsute shoulders, and this though the females amongst their immediate pithecoid,

supposed ancestors entertained a directly opposite sentiment. We refer our

readers, as to sexual selection, to a work on Animal Coloration, by Mr. FRANK

E. BEDHARD, F.R.S., London, 1892.