112 Transactions, &c. — Annual Address. 



logical form, it would stand thus : — The Creator assigned the best 

 orbits to planets ; circular orbits are the best, therefore the orbits 

 of planets are circular. We must not assume that we know all 

 about the origin of life, and say, "the best principle is that of 

 omne vivum ex ovo or ex vivo, therefore such is the origin of all 

 living things, subsequent to a primal act of creation." We may 

 not venture to say how, but we may be sure that in the future, dis- 

 coveries will be made that will deal with many opinions we now 

 hold, as past discoveries dealt with the errors that preceded them. 

 Science comes with starthng surprises to the most gifted minds, 

 and let us hope it may be ours to hear without alarm what 

 Tennyson calls that 



•' Bridal dawn of thunder-peals, -which comes 

 Whenever thought hath wedded fact." 



