54 THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES In 
presumes every species to have originated from one 3 
or more stocks, these not being the result of the — 
modification of any other form of living matter—or 
arising by natural agencies—but being produced) 
as such, by a supernatural creative act. 
The other, the so-called “transmutation ” 
hypothesis, considers that all existing species are. 
the result of the modification of pre-existing 
species, and those of their predecessors, by agencies” 
similar to those which at the present day produce 
varieties and races, and therefore in an altogether 
natural way; and it is a probable, though not a 
necessary consequence of this hypothesis, that all 
living beings have arisen from a single stock. 
With respect to the origin of this primitive stock, 
or stocks, the doctrine of the origin of species is 
obviously not necessarily concerned. The trans- 
mutation hypothesis, for example, is perfectly 
consistent either with the conception of a special 
creation of the primitive germ, or with the 
supposition of its having arisen, as a modification 
of inorganic matter, by natural causes. 
The doctrine of special creation owes its exist- 
ence very largely to the supposed necessity of 
making science accord with the Hebrew cos- 
mogony ; but it is curious to observe that, as the 
doctrine is at present maintained by men of 
science, it is as hopelessly inconsistent with the 
Hebrew view as any other hypothesis. 
If there be any result which has come more 
