130 DISCRIMINATIONS CHAP, n 



countless ages of infinitesimal change. 

 He may well say that if this be true, 

 no reason can be seen why animals 

 of any degree of complexity may not 

 be developed as quickly and after the 

 same manner. Neither, of course, does 

 Mr. Spencer push his argument to the 

 obvious conclusion which is adverse to 

 his philosophy the conclusion, namely, 

 that if the first creation of germs has 

 ever been repeated, still more if it may 

 have been frequently repeated, then 

 the whole processes of a creative de- 

 velopment may have been indefinitely 

 hastened, and the element of time be- 

 comes of quite subordinate importance. 



