162 ORIGIN AND NATURE OF LIFE 



probably did not even realize that he had 

 achieved, and that is the giving of a new basis 

 for the enquiry into the origin of life, by 

 supplying proper limitations and a new 

 starting point. 



Pasteur, as the result of years of patient 

 labour, proved with the clearness of a scientific 

 demonstration, that the views of his opponents 

 regarding spontaneous generation were purely 

 mythical. The opposition which met his 

 views can only be compared to the storm 

 which met Darwin and his supporters over 

 evolution, but patiently Pasteur advanced, 

 proving point after point with irresistible 

 experiment and logical conclusion, and in the 

 end he triumphed. 



A blind alley in the enquiry as to the origin 

 of life was thus closed for ever, and one with 

 most alluring prospects, which had tempted 

 the minds of philosophers and experimenters 

 for long ages. 



Although it was not appreciated, this was 

 a great contribution towards the enquiry. 

 At first sight, the discovery seemed to close 

 the quest for ever, for this path was the only 

 one trodden for centuries by countless en- 

 quirers, and it is easier to follow old ways 

 than to find new ones. 



It required some years of fallowness, during 



