PROEM TO GENESIS. 623 



mammals, and man. I shall compare the text of Genesis with geo- 

 logical statements ; but shall make no attempt, unless this be an at- 

 tempt, to profit by a consena^as of geologists. 



I suppose it to be admitted on all hands that no perfectly compre- 

 hensive and complete correspondence can be established between the 

 terms of the Mosaic text and modem discovery. Ko one, for in- 

 stance, could conclude from it that which appears to be generally 

 recognized, that a great reptile-age would be revealed by the Mesozoic 

 rocks. 



Yet I think readers, who have been swept away by the torrent of 

 Mr. Huxley's denunciations, will feel some surprise when on drawing 

 summarily into line the main allegations, and especially this ruling 

 order of the Proem, they see how small a part of them is brought into 

 question by IVIr. Huxley, and to how large an extent they are favored by 

 the tendencies, presumptions, and even conclusions of scientific inquiry. 



First, as to the cosmogony, or the formation of the earth and the 

 heavenly bodies — 



1. The first operation recorded in Genesis appears to be the forma- 

 tion of light. It is detached, apparently, from the waste or formless 

 elemental mass (verses 2-5), which is left relatively dark by its with- 

 drawal. 



2. Next we hear of the existence of vapor, and of its condensation 

 into water on the surface of the earth (verses 6-10). Vegetation 

 subsequently begins : but this belongs rather to geology than to cos- 

 mogony (verses 11, 12). 



3. In a new period, the heavenly bodies are declared to be fully 

 formed and visible, dividing the day from the night (verses 14-18). 



Under the guidance particularly of Dr. Whewell, I have referred 

 to the nebular hypothesis as confirmatory of this account. 



Mr. Huxley has not either denied the hypothesis, or argued against 

 it. But I turn to Phillips's "Manual of Geology," edited and adapted 

 by Mr. Seeley and Mr. Etheridge (1885). It has a section in vol. i. 

 (pp. 15-19) on "Modern Speculations concerning the Origin of the 

 Earth." 



The first agent here noticed as contributing to the work of pro- 

 duction is the " gas hydrogen in a burning state," which now " forms 

 the enveloping portion of the sun's atmosphere ; " whence we are told 

 the inference arises that the earth also was once " incandescent at its 

 surface," and that its rocks may have been " products of combustion." 

 Is not this representation of light with heat for its ally, as the first 

 element in this Speculation, remarkably accordant with the opening of 

 the Proem to Genesis ? 



Next it appears (^Z'^c7.) that "the product of this combustion is 

 vapor," which with diminished heat condenses into water, and event- 

 ually accumulates " in depressions on the sun's surface so as to form 

 oceans and seas." "It is at least probable that the earth has passed 



