Permanence and Evolution. 23 



enough repeated, the real question between the 

 adherent of evolution and the opponent of such 

 views, is not properly whether organic races 

 were evolved out of other organic races, or out 

 of some other form of matter, or produced in 

 some other way, but whether or no organic 

 races were produced by means we can under- 

 stand or make familiar to us with our present 

 knowledge. 



I do not say that existing races. were not 

 evolved out of a smaller number of forms, 

 but feel sure that (if they were) some agency 

 was at work which is either not at work now, 

 or else carefully conceals itself from view; 

 and I feel also individually convinced that 

 nobody knows anything, or is likely soon to 

 know anything, as to the mode of their produc- 

 tion. If I am asked whether this implies that 

 the production of living races is for ever beyond 

 the ken of science, I answer by no means, for 

 the motions of the heavenly bodies were equally 



