THE NATURE OP LIFE 



THE ORIGIN OF LIFE 



At the present time astronomers present 

 a picture of the evolution of the universe 

 which holds the imagination captive. 

 Some of them believe that all kinds 

 of matter have been evolved from one 

 original substance, hydrogen, and that 

 out of the material thus created solar 

 systems were built up. They are able to 

 give us a fairly satisfactory description 

 of the processes which formed bodies 

 like our earth. Their account is supple- 

 mented by the geologist, who pictures the 

 progressive changes on the surface of the 

 earth whereby it became fitted to support 

 life. The fascination of these researches 

 is heightened when we consider that they 

 lead directly to a question of universal 

 interest which lies in the province of the 



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