All these examples tend to prove the argument that geography provides a factor which cannot easily be disregarded.  That architecture reflects topographical features is certain.  Even to‑day, we find this is important: the Welsh Valley Towns all have the same grey, drab appearance, so characteristic here.  Modern methods of transport, however, lessen the importance of this factor, which is best seen in Saxon and Gothic architecture.  Modern architects and artists can convey their ideas in all materials, to a certain extent, irrespective of geographical factors, but it must be remembered, with other factors, as an important aspect when one is studying those wonderful masterpieces of art which some unknown geniuses have left behind.
Emrys Jones (VIA.  Sci.)

Evolutionary Ideas and Theories

B
EFORE the time of Darwin and Lamarck people had the strange idea that the present forms of organisms had been created as such, and had not altered since the beginning of life on this planet?  Lamarck, during his work on the classification of animals and plants, was struck by the gradual gradation in complexity of the forms and their close relationship. Thus he was impressed by the resemblance in bodily structure of man and anthropoid ape; between the apes and monkeys; between the monkeys and lemurs ; and between the lemurs and primitive carnivores. Working on these lines he built up the theory what  the present forms of animal and plant life had all ascended from simpler forms. Of course, Lamarck was not the only one, and not even the first to hold such views. In England, Darwin had conceived similar ideas. When these theories were first published they were met by a storm of protest, because lip to that time people had hard and fast ideas of individual creation fixed in their mind and these theories of Darwin were pure atheism. in their opinion. After many	 years people adopted the new theories. This article is merely a list of theories, written down as they occur to me.
Natural Selection.—This theory is quite well known under the title of “The survival of the fittest.”  It is a weeding out process—a weeding out of the less fit members of the race.  By this process the forms of life less capable of coping with the hardships of life are thrust out and killed.  The cause is mainly competition among the organisms.  This was the theory advanced by Darwin to explain the comparative adaptability of the present organisms to their surroundings.  By the process of Natural Selection it is only the cream of the race which is allowed to exist and reproduce, and again, their progeny are weeded out, so that during the passage of millions of years forms of life are obtained which are almost perfect.
Effects of Environment on the Race and Individual.—There has been a great deal of controversy over this point for several years, but it is now cleared up in the opinion of most scientists.  The effect of environment on the individual is quite apparent.  If twins are separated at an early age, and brought up under different conditions, although they may resemble each other in their major characters, they will differ in many details, even in personality, will power, and manners.  The problem which puzzled scientists, however, was whether these characters can be inherited.  Lamarck thought that characters acquired during the lifetime of the individual would be transmitted to, and intensified in, its progeny.  The latter part of the theory is wrong, because once a character has been acquired it is fixed and does not alter.