OF THE N1SUS FORMATIN US. 375 



585. This hypothesis of the successive evolution of 

 germs pre-formed from the creation, must, if carefully 

 examined, be rejected.* Not only is the superfluous 

 and useless creation, which is supposed, of innume- 

 rable germs never arriving at evolution, repugnant to 

 reason, but so many preternatural conditions f and 

 such a multiplication of natural powers^ are assum- 

 ed, that it is perfectly irreconcileable with sound 

 physiology. 



Add to this, that, of the phenomena adduced in its 

 favour, no one is sufficiently consonant with truth to 

 establish the hypothesis. 



On the other hand, we have indubitable observations 

 which refute it directly and completely. 



586. The less this hypothesis of evolution, as it is 

 commonly termed, is found consonant with fact and 

 the rules of philosophising, the more strongly does the 

 opposite opinion recommend itself to our notice by its 

 simplicity and correspondence with nature, supposing, 

 as it does, not an evolution of fictitious germina by 

 conception, but a true and gradual formation of a new 

 conception from the hitherto formless genital matter. 



the chick with those of the yolk, while at the same time he admitted and de- 

 fended a perfectly similar inosculation in the connection of the human ovum 

 with the gravid uterus. Elem. Physiol. Lausanne. 1788. T. viii. P. i. p. 94, 

 comparing p. 257. 



* See L. P. Zu'dfel gegen die Entwickelungstheorie. Aus der Franzosischen 

 Handschrift von G. Forster. Getting. 1788. 8vo. 



f v. Kant's remarks on these, Critik der Urtheilskraft. p. 372. 



J This defect I have shewn at large, Handbuch der Naturgeschichte. p. 15 sq. 



8vo. 1807. 



Those who desire a fuller demonstration of this and other assertions but 

 briefly noticed in the present section, 1 refer to the work itbcr dm 

 3d edit. Gottinc;. 1791. 8vo. 



