2o 



namely, that the intrusion of Scriptural considerations into a 

 scientific discussion is as theologically wrong as it is scientifically 

 mischievous — that it is our duty to investigate the Creator's 

 viTorks with the utmost freedom in every direction, without 

 entertaining the slightest dread that our inquiries can ever 

 prejudice the moral and religious truths that are contained in 

 His word. He reminded the Society that truth can never 

 injure truth, but only error; and that we might, on this 

 subject, use the words which Galileo employed in replying 

 to objections precisely similar in their principle to some of 

 those which Mr. Darwen's theory has encountered. " Quin 

 ipsa philosophia, talibus disputationibus non nisi beneficium 

 recipit. Nam si vera proponit homo ingeniosus veritatisque 

 amans nova ad earn accepio fiet ; sin falsa, refutatione eorum 

 priores tanto magis stabilientur." — GalilcBisyst,cosm.^ p. 42. 



An interesting discussion took place, in which Dr. Fairbairn, 

 Dr. Clay, Mr. Binney, Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Francis, Mr. Hull, 

 and others took part. 



Mr. Hull, F.G.S., reviewed the geological evidence bearing 

 on the " Development " theory, arriving at the conclusion 

 that on geological grounds that theory was altogether un- 

 tenable. At the same time, as far as regards the permanency 

 of varieties, and their consequent establishment as species, 

 the doctrine of Mr. Darwen appeared sound up to a certain 

 point. The distribution of the Brachiopoda, and some other 

 forms, appeared to be capable of explanation on these grounds, 

 but Mr. Hull contended that it was impossible to account for 

 the first appearance of numerous highly organized groups of 

 animals on the hypothesis of natural selection, or any similar 

 theory of development. 



