=280. Proofs of polygenesis.= In affirming the probability of a polygenetic origin of species, there is no intention of asserting that all species originate in this way. It seems evident that a very large number of species of restricted range are certainly monogenetic, at least as far as origin in space is concerned. It is possible that any species may arise at two or more distinct times. Polygenesis can occur readily only in species of more or less extensive area, in which recur instances of the same or similar habitat. The relative frequence and importance of the two methods can hardly be conjectured as yet, but origin by monogenesis would seem to be the rule. The arguments adduced by Engler in support of polygenesis are in themselves conclusive, but the investigations of the past decade have brought to light additional proofs, especially from the experimental side. In determining the physical factors of prairie and mountain formations, and especially by methods of experimental ecology, the author has found that habitats are much less complex than they are ordinarily thought to be, since water-content and humidity, and to a less degree light, constitute the only factors which produce direct modification. In addition, it has been ascertained that the minimum difference of water-content, humidity, or light, necessary to produce a distinguishable morphological adjustment is much greater than the unit differences recorded by the instruments. In short, the differences of habitats, as ascertained by thermograph, psychrometer and photometer, are much greater than their efficient differences, and, with respect to their ability to produce modification, habitats fall into relatively few categories. A striking illustration of this is seen in the superficially very different habitats, desert, strand, alkali plain, alpine moor, and arctic tundra, all of which are capable of producing the same type of xerophyte. It follows from this that many more or less plastic species of extensive geographical area will find themselves in similar or identical situations, measured in terms of efficient differences, and will be modified in the same way in two or more of these. In mountain regions, where interruption of the surface and consequent alternation are great, the mutual invasion of contiguous formations is of frequent occurrence, often resulting in habitat forms. The spots in which these nascent species, such as _Galium boreale hylocolum_, _Aster levis lochmocolus_, etc., are found, are often so related to the area of the parent species as to demonstrate conclusively that these forms are the result of polygenesis and not of migration. Naturally, what is true of a small area will hold equally well of a large region, and the recurrence of the same habitat form may be accepted as conclusive proof of polygenesis. The most convincing evidences of multiple origin, however, are to be found in what De Vries has called “mutations.” It makes little