82 THE DOCTRINE OF DESCENT. 



The Standpoint of the Miraculous, and the Investigation of Nature — Creation 

 or Natural Development — Linnaeus — Cuvier — Agassiz — Examination of 

 the Idea of Species. 



" I hear your message well, it cannot wake my faith. 

 To faith is miracle her dearest child."* 



Having quoted these words of Faust, we will proceed 

 without further digression to examine the standpoint 

 occupied by the Natural Philosopher with regard to a 

 domain where the sceptre is wielded, not by the lucid 

 intellect, but by the imagination looking through coloured 

 glasses ; not by Logic, but by arbitrary ideas ; where 

 the laws of causality are turned upside down; a domain 

 where, indeed, many unquestionably honourable men 

 still feel themselves at home, but which at best fosters 

 only pious self-deception, and indolence of mind. 



We must take up a decided position without regard 

 to consequences, as after the discussion of the actual 

 record of the animal world in its three aspects, 

 namely, its present tenantry of complete forms, the 

 'evolution of the individuals, and the historical suc- 

 cession during the earlier periods of the earth's forma- 

 tion, — after this superficial work of registration and 

 enrolment, the actual study of our subject must begin. 



* " Die Botschaft hor'ich wohl, allein mir fehlt der Glaube. 

 Das Wunder ist des Glaubens liebstes Kind." 



