THE DARWINIAN HYPOTHESIS 123 



tions of the geologist, though having a certain distinctness, 

 would fade into one another with limits as undefmable as 

 those of the distinct and yet separable colours of the solar 

 spectrum. 



Such is a brief summary of the main truths which have 

 been established concerning species. Are these truths 

 ultimate and irresolvable facts, or are their complexities 

 and perplexities the mere expressions of a higher law ? 



A large number of persons practically assume the former 

 position to be correct. They believe that the writer of 

 the Pentateuch was empowered and commissioned to teach 

 us scientific as well as other truth, that the account we 

 find there of the creation of living things is simply and 

 literally correct, and that anything which seems to con- 

 tradict it is, by the nature of the case, false. All the 

 phenomena which have been detailed are, on this view, the 

 immediate product of a creative fiat and consequently are 

 out of the domain of science altogether. 



Whether this view prove ultimately to be true or false, 

 it is, at any rate, not at present supported by what is 

 commonly regarded as logical proof, even if it be capable 

 of discussion by reason ; and hence we consider ourselves 

 at liberty to pass it by, and to turn to those views which 

 profess to rest on a scientific basis only, and therefore 

 admit of being argued to their consequences. And we 

 do this with the less hesitation as it so happens that those 

 persons who are practically conversant with the facts of 

 the case (plainly a considerable advantage) have always 

 thought fit to range themselves under the latter category. 



The majority of these competent persons have up to 

 the present time maintained two positions, the first, 

 that every species is, within certain defined or definable 

 limits, fixed and incapable of modification ; the second, 

 that every species was originally produced by a distinct 

 creative act. The second position is obviously incapable 

 of proof or disproof, the direct operations of the Creator 

 not being subjects of science ; and it must therefore be 

 regarded as a corollary from the first, the truth or false- 

 hood of which is a matter of evidence. Most persons 

 imagine that the arguments in favour of it are overwhelm- 

 ing ; but to some few minds, and these, it must be confessed, 

 intellects of no small power and grasp of knowledge, they 

 have not brought conviction. Among these minds that of 

 the famous naturalist Lamarck, who possessed a greater 



