140 



On the Theory of " Progressive Development^'' applied in explana- 

 tion of the Origin and Transmutation of Species. By Hewett 

 C. Watson, Esq., F.L.S. 



(Continued from p. 113). 



My former communication on this subject was intended to have an 

 introductory character only. Two questions arise on the theory of 

 progressive development, as set forth in the ' Vestiges ; ' namely, first, 

 Can plants originate from unorganized matter .-' — secondly. Can plants 

 of one species, in any way, produce individuals of another species ? 



To both of these questions the author of the 'Vestiges' seems ready 

 to give an affirmative reply. But his attempt to base this affirmation 

 upon the ground-work of facts, unfortunately, must be pronounced a 

 thorough failure. Overlooking the best part of the evidence which 

 might be adduced in favour of this hypothesis, he stumbled upon two 

 or three pretended facts, which had been published only to be scouted 

 as absurdly improbable ; and which, when rightly examined, are 

 really not in accordance with the theory which he advocates. 



To the former of these two questions, our existing knowledge of 

 Biology seems inadequate to afford any satisfactory answer. We can 

 neither assert nor deny that plants do sometimes originate from inor- 

 ganic matter. The pre-existence of a parent appears always neces- 

 sary to the production of those species of more complex organization, 

 with the propagation of which we are best acquainted. Yet this con- 

 stant fact may not hold true with other species of very simple organi- 

 zation. And it should be conceded to those who advocate the theory 

 of progressive development throughout Nature, that only the simplest 

 plants could be expected to originate wholly or solely from inorganic 

 matter. In truth, he is more hasty than philosophic in his judgment, 

 who can believe himself entitled to assert, that the simplest forms of 

 vegetable life (say, for example, a Protococcus) never come into exis- 

 tence, unless by the development of germs which have first constituted 

 portions of a parent individual similar to themselves. On this first 

 question, however, I do not wish to enlarge here. It is unsettled, and 

 likely long to remain unsettled. 



The second question, bearing on the transition of species, may be 

 taken under consideration independently of any reference to the origin 

 of organic nature. In this consideration we are not restricted to those 

 very simple forms of vegetable life, the diminutive size of which puts 

 insuperable difficulties in the way of correct observations. A pervad- 



