Miscellaneous and General

Abstract

Mention must be made of the very full essay-review, by J. D. Hooker, of A. De candolle’s Géographie Botanique Raisonnée, published in hooker’s Journ. of Bot. (Kew Journ. Bot.) 8: 54–64, 82–8, 112–21, 151–7, 181–91, 214–9, 248–56 (1856). The importance of this review is twofold. First, it shows how very fully Hooker studied De candolle’s methods and theories, and, though he sometimes disagrees with many of his conclusions, they undoubtedly influenced some of his later work. Secondly, in the final instalment, under the heading “Concluding remarks,” Hooker discusses at some length his view on the nature of species. De Candolle believed “that the majority of species were created such as they now exist,” but Hooker adds “there is not a shadow of a proof of this.” The arguments for transmutation of species are put forward and include: “the fact that species are variable”, that “this theory of transmutation accounts better for the aggregation of Species, Genera, and Natural Orders in geographical areas, and for their limitation”, and that transmutation involves “less of the marvellous at first sight” than does special creation. On the other hand, Hooker says, “unfortunately transmutation brings us no nearer the origin of species, except the doctrine of progressive development be also allowed, and, as we can show, the study of plants affords much positive evidence against progressive development, and none in favour of it” (p. 252).