212 THE LAW. 



forms shall be transmuted into other and altered forms of 

 organisation 1 ? then the subject assumes a purely physical 

 aspect, and they are bound, like the mathematician and 

 chemist, to prove their case by the ordinary rules of physical 

 induction. Given the scales, fins, and gills of a fish what 

 the conditions and what the amount of time necessary to 

 transmute them into the scutes, paddles, and lungs of a 

 marine reptile ] Given the scutes, membranous fore-arms, 

 and stomach of a flying reptile what the phases of change 

 and what the amount of time required for their transforma- 

 tion into the feathers, wings, and gizzard of a bird ? Or, 

 given the four hands with partially opposable thumbs, the 

 low facial angle, and the jabbering half-reasoning instinct of 

 a monkey what the force of conditions, and what the term 

 of time for their development into the two-handed dexter- 

 ity, the erect aspect, and the eloquent ratiocinations of a 

 philosopher of the nineteenth century? If the question 

 be one of purely physical import, such are the formulae the 

 developists are called upon to frame, and such are the prob- 

 lems that await their solution. This task they have hitherto 

 failed to accomplish ; and as yet the place of sterling proof 

 is usurped by plausible assumption. The evolution of life, 

 however, in all its multifarious forms and aspects its 

 cosmical functions and relationships its orderly appear- 

 ings and disappearings at certain geological periods its 

 bearings on the intellectual and moral position of Man 

 all this and much more that instinctively interweaves 

 itself with our innermost thoughts of time and destiny, 

 must surely rest on a broader and deeper foundation. It 

 is if anything we shall ever comprehend the gradual 

 unfolding of a predestined plan, the expression of a 

 Divine thought, which it is our high privilege as well as 

 duty to interpret ; but depend on it, we altogether err in 

 our method of interpretation if we attempt to associate life 



