158 The Evolution Hypothesis. 



infusoria must, I conceive, have taken an enormous 

 period of time." * 



Allowing Mr. Spencer thus, in his own words, to 

 clear away misconceptions that have gathered round 

 his doctrine, let us go on to ask how he conceives the 

 transition from inorganic matter to living organisms. 



He first prepares the way by setting out at con- 

 siderable length, and very minutely, the characteristics 

 of the four chief elements comprising living bodies, 

 and shows that their compounds are unstable and 

 conform to " the conditions necessary to that redis- 

 tribution of matter and motion which constitutes 

 evolution." -f- But it is not enough to show that the 

 materials of which organisms are composed are speci- 

 ally fitted to the place and work assigned them. On 

 the theory of a creative intelligence, it will be before- 

 hand certain that the material used will be adapted 

 to its end. Bodies designed to grow, but formed of 

 matter extremely ill-adapted to the processes of 

 growth, would be evidence that the world was or- 

 dered by something very different from intelligence. 

 To support the evolution doctrine, it is needful to show 

 not only that the chemical compounds forming the 

 material of organisms are unstable, and therefore well 

 adapted to the changes necessary in vital action but 

 in what way that which before existed as matter 

 without life has become a living organism. 



* Biology, Vol. I., Appendix, p. 481. t Biology, Vol. I, $ 9. 



