292 LESSONS FROM NATURE. [CHAP. IX. 



5. That facts may be cited to support the theory of specific 

 stability (different in degree in different species), and to de 

 monstrate that reversion may take place in spite of the most 

 careful selection in breeding. The value of the facts of sterility 

 in hybrids was alsp considered. 



6. That data bearing on the relation of species to time may 

 be brought forward, apparently fatal to their origin by the 

 action of natural selection. 



7. That the significant and important facts of the deep- 

 seated resemblances existing not only between different indi 

 vidual animals, but between different parts of one and the 

 same individual, should be pondered over; these points 

 being, as was shown, capable of reinforcement by others 

 drawn from the abnormalities of monstrous births, and the 

 symmetrical character of certain diseases. 



From all these considerations, a cumulative argument 

 seemed to arise conclusive against the theory that species 

 have had their specific characters fixed mainly by the action 

 of &quot; natural selection.&quot; 



This hypothesis, in fact, may be expressed as follows : that 

 just as all admit the universe to have been so ordered or to 

 so exist that on the mixing of chemical substances under 

 certain conditions new and perfectly definite species of mine 

 rals are suddenly evolved from potentiality to existence, and 

 as by the juxtaposition of inorganic matters under certain 

 influences* a new form of force &quot;vitality&quot; appears upon 

 the scene so also in animals, the concurrence of certain 

 external exciting causes acts in such a manner on internal 

 predisposing tendencies as to determine by a direct seminal 

 modification the evolution of a new specific form. The 

 action of so-called &quot; natural selection &quot; was admitted to be 

 real and necessary but an altogether subordinate role was 

 ascribed to it. 



* Though Professor Huxley is disinclined as yet to admit that such 

 evolution of living things takes place now, he none the less admits the prin 

 ciple, though he relegates such evolution to a remote epoch of the world s 

 history. See Address to the British Association, Liverpool, 1870, p. 17. 



