SECT. 11.] Origin, or Process of Causation of the Series. 65 



different from what they now are, and doubtless will be so 

 again. 



Any fuller investigation of the process by which, on the 

 Theory of Evolution, out of a primeval simplicity and uni 

 formity the present variety was educed, hardly belongs to 

 the scope of the present work : at most, a few hints must 

 suffice. 



11. The above, then, are instances of natural objects 

 and natural agencies. There seems reason to believe that it 

 is in such things only, as distinguished from things artificial, 

 that the property in question is to be found. This is an as 

 sertion that will need some discussion and explanation. Two 

 instances, in apparent opposition, will at once occur to the 

 mind of some readers; one of which, from its great intrinsic 

 importance, and the other, from the frequency of the pro 

 blems which it furnishes, will demand a few minutes separate 

 examination. 



(1) The first of these is the already mentioned case of 

 instrumental observations. In the use of astronomical and 

 other instruments the utmost possible degree of accuracy is 

 often desired, a degree which cannot be reasonably hoped for 

 in any one single observation. What we do therefore in 

 these cases is to make a large number of successive observa 

 tions which are naturally found to differ somewhat from each 

 other in their results; by means of these the true value 

 (as explained in a future chapter, on the Method of Least 

 Squares) is to be determined as accurately as possible. The 

 subjects then of calculation here are a certain number of 

 elements, slightly incorrect elements, given by successive 

 observations. Are not these observations artificial, or the 

 direct product of voluntary agency ? Certainly not : or rather, 

 the answer depends on what we understand by voluntary. 

 What is really intended and aimed at by the observer, is of 

 v. 5 



