CHAPTER III 



THE RELATION OF INORGANIC TO ORGANIC 



BODIES 



In past discussions on the relations between the inorganic 

 and organic kingdoms, and the possible mode of origin of life 

 on the earth, one of five possible methods of treatment has 

 generally been adopted by writers. Special creationists of 

 bygone centuries considered that an impassable barrier or 

 gap separated the two, and so they regarded the phenomena 

 of life as a mystery that must forever be beyond human expla- 

 nation, since successive organic bodies appeared on the earth 

 by separate creative acts. 



Others, in tracing minutely the evolution of living forms, 

 were impressed by the apparent absence of even approximate 

 continuity between inorganic and organic bodies. So they 

 did not attempt to push their inquiry into an apparently fruit- 

 less field. Again, while impressed by the same lack of con- 

 tinuity, others tried to apply a semi-uniformitarian method, 

 by suggesting that primitive life was imported into our world 

 from some other member of the solar system. 



Still others, after consideration of recent views on the struc- 

 ture, composition, and mode of growth of inorganic bodies, 

 had little hesitancy in passing by a very abrupt and extended 

 step from the more complex inorganic compounds to nucleated 

 masses of protoplasm. For to them it seemed impossible that 

 any break in uniformitarian continuity should exist, even 

 though the recognized gap was a serious one. Finally, others 

 have patiently tried to elucidate, step by step, the possible 

 transitions from inorganic to organic evolution, by aid of every 

 bit of direct or collateral evidence that might aid them. Even 

 though compelled at times to imitate the second last group of 

 inquirers, we shall strive to follow the methods pursued by 

 the last. 



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