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Essays on the Unity of Worlds by Rev. Baden Powell 1855

p. 135 "a mere numerical relation invariably preserved but no further connected with any imaginable purpose, or a systematic arrangement of useless parts or abortive organs on a regular plan, are just as forcible indications of intelligence as any results of immediate practical utility."

p 332 Owen compares natural affinities with a "net-work" Prof. Pictet has discussed higher & lower, refers to Quarterly Journal of Geolog. Soc. no. V. p. 50 for Pictet

p. 334 Refer to H. Miller Footprints on Asterolepis being a crocodile lying intrenched in a Fish. p 338 in regard to all Fossils belonging to existing classes, says "The invariableness of the results through such enormous series of ages cannot but impress the mind, when duly considered, with the highest idea of the preservation of continuity. (a)

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(a) the facts in Johnstons Physical Atlas, from Forbes on no break in succession of genera of Mollusca, shows, considering the imperfection of the record, how immensely numerous the species must have been.

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p. 350 Refers to E. Forbes on succession unbroken of species & formations, in his address to Geolog. Soc. 1854. no 38 p 78.

Lyell on do in regard to arguing from Tertiary formations as best known. Principles p. 179 8th Edition

p 359 "One thing is perfectly clear the introduction of new species was a regular, not a casual phenomenon".

p 367 "So again the abortive teeth of the young whale are of no use except to prove its relationship with terrestrial mammalia".

Have we any more right to say this than that inherited toothless hairless dogs is of use to prove relationship. Get better example

p 387 British Assocn. Report 1852 Sect. Proc. p. 68 Major Munro who limits transmutation of plants to same genus.

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B. Powell. Unity of Worlds.

N. B I shd put it as self evident that descent explains unity of type. In Owen on limbs (p. 13, 14, p. 39) there are splendid sentences showing that Unity not explicable by final causes. I presume it cannot be doubted that the anterior extremities are displaced from occipital vertebra, so that G. St. Hilaires law is upset; but yet it holds, I fancy in most ordinary cases, which we can understand on descent; & when displacement has taken place there has been wonderful metamorphosis [insertion: modification] from the fish-like archetype or common parent of Vertebrata

p. 396 speaks of the changes of species being "due to the lapse of time": hardly philosophical without some small change can be shown, or it means exposure to accidents of conditions.

[in margin:] There is nice abstract corrected by Owen

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I ought to allude to the general philosophical manner in which whole subject discussed

p. 415 et seq. excellent remarks on the want of experience not being an applicable argument in the case of the modification of species, under the circumstances under which they must have been exposed. Allude to the admirable & philosophical spirit with which this is discussed.

p 450 quotation from Herschel in letter to Babbage 9 Bridgewater Treatise "the origination of first species, cd it ever come under our cognizance, wd. be found to be a natural, in contradistinction to a miraculous process". I might well allude to this in Preface, & certainly to Baden's Powells excellent Essay "on the Philosophy of Creation".

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Baden Powell

"on the theory of Unity of composition" by T. H. Huxley.

In a strict classification "we must observe that living being not only are, but they become"

p 497 Cuvier did not attempt to discover upon what plans animals are constructed, but to ascertain in what manner the facts of animal organization could be thrown into the fewest possible general propositions. Von Baer' grandest law is that up to a certain period in its existence every vertebrate, mollusk &c followed a plan common to all animals. "Development is the criterion of Homology."

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B. Powell

p. 498 Abstract of the Theory of Specific Centres by the late Prof. E. Forbes.

(4) As a rule when a species is common to 2 or more provinces these provinces are contiguous, & consequently the specific area is continuous.

(5) But there are exceptions. (I fear exceptions so awfully numerous.)

(6) But when we sift history of such exceptions,… we can show strong probability of an epoch when all the individuals of the species in question occupied a continuous & unique area. (Alpine & Arctic plants & I think very few shells: is this enough) (He does not allude to accidental transport; I fancy very few, but yet some must one would think happen.)

(7) Hence an enquiry into the distribution

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B. Powell

of the individuals of a species in both time & space results in the maintenance of the theory of the unity of specific centres.

(8) when able to trace the history of a species in time (strictly at one spot, & this only in case a few shells) we find in the majority of instances distinct indication of a paucity of individuals. (I doubt whether geological records can possibly be perfect enough for this; but as far as we have evidence it generally, with many exceptions, (?) goes this way.)

(9) in well marked areas in present epoch we find that there is within such area the indication of a point of maximum development of individuals. (I quite doubt good evidence, see Decandolle; they get

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generally rarer on borders. A. Smith & myself speak of metropolis of species, but this is vague.) (If Forbes' propositions cd be proved they wd be nearly conclusive; but I doubt use case of Mammalia.

(2nd) the opposite theory of creation in accordance to conditions decidedly false; Barriers great cause of distribution; & this lends a general rule, like continuous areas, to creation in single spots. Perhaps opponents wd. admit general rule, but say that there were exceptions. - the case turns on number of exceptions.