12 life's beginning on the earth 



The form however in which the subject is presented will 

 not be that of a ponderous scientific report. No techniques 

 are described in detail; no mathematical equations or 

 curves are derived or interpolated; no preliminary study 

 of the basic sciences is expected of the reader. We shall 

 try instead to animate our story by inserting in it scenes 

 which may be looked upon as fragments of a dramatic 

 performance. 



The stage has already been set for the opening. The 

 Manager of the Performance stands before the curtain to 

 explain how he has gathered his material for the drama 

 from near and far, much from foreign lands, all dealing with 

 fascinating discoveries of distinguished scientists, obtained 

 from sources which were scrutinized for reliability. He 

 tells us that exploration trips will be presented to show how 

 facts can be gathered, and that facts indeed will be stressed 

 according to the spirit of science which demands care in 

 drawing conclusions. 



Furthermore, he expresses the hope that this performance 

 will appeal to those who have contemplative and inquisi- 

 tive minds, and will arouse in them a love for the search for 

 truth. And with this and a bow to his patrons the Manager 

 retires and the curtain rises. 



