1872.] 'BEGINNINGS OF LIFE.' 1 69 



ated, my mind can no more digest such statements, whether 

 true or false, than my stomach can digest a lump of lead. 

 Dr. Bastian is always comparing Archebiosis, as well as 

 growth, to crystallisation ; but, on this view, a Rotifer or Tardi- 

 grade is adapted to its humble conditions of life by a happy 

 accident, and this I cannot believe. . . . He must have 

 worked with very impure materials in some cases, as plenty 

 of organisms appeared in a saline solution not containing an 

 atom of nitrogen. 



I wholly disagree with Dr. Bastian about many points in 

 his latter chapters. Thus the frequency of generalised forms 

 in the older strata seems to me clearly to indicate the common 

 descent with divergence of more recent forms. Notwith- 

 standing all his sneers, I do not strike my colours as yet about 

 Pangenesis. I should like to live to see Archebiosis proved 

 true, for it would be a discovery of transcendent importance ; 

 or, if false, I should like to see it disproved, and the facts 

 otherwise explained ; but I shall not live to see all this. If 

 ever proved, Dr. Bastian will have taken a prominent part in 

 the work. How grand is the onward rush of science; it is 

 enough to console us for the many errors which we have com- 

 mitted, and for our efforts being overlaid and forgotten in the 

 mass of new facts and new views which are daily turning up. 



This is all I have to say about Dr. Bastian's book, and it 

 certainly has not been worth saying. . . . 



C. Darwin to A. De Candolle. 



Down, December xi, 1872. 



My dear Sir — I began reading your new book * sooner 

 than I intended, and when I once began, I could not stop ; 

 and now you must allow me to thank you for the very great 

 pleasure which it has given me. I have hardly ever read 



* t 



Histoire des Sciences et des Savants,' 1873. 



