From Inorganic Matter to Life. 163 



moving atoms that pervade immensity, we inquire 

 how the kinds are perpetuated. It can only be (a) 

 by the molecules when formed remaining for ever 

 fixed, or (6) by the continuous formation of new 

 molecules of the different kinds in the same manner 

 in which the original molecules of these kinds were 

 produced, or (c) by the propagation of successive 

 generations of molecules generating after their kind, 

 in the language of Moses, " seeding seed after their 

 kind." The first supposition is contrary to the prin- 

 ciples of evolution ; the persistence of force, as Mr. 

 Spencer applies it, renders such perpetuity impossible. 

 Fixedness of these composite molecules is inconsistent 

 with the continuous mutation constituting the cosmic 

 process. The second supposition is also incongruous 

 with the principles of evolution, according to which 

 the movement of the universe is a ceasless movement 

 onward: "into the same river no man can enter 

 twice." The third is the only supposition consonant 

 with Mr. Spencer's doctrine ; but it lands us in inex- 

 plicable mystery. The propagation of molecular 

 structures true to their kind is wholly inconceivable. 

 Mr. Spencer does not undertake to give an account of 

 it. We have, then, at the very outset, the two most 

 difficult problems which meet the student of organic 

 life in its fully developed state differentiation into 

 kinds, and propagation of each after its kind. The 

 evolutionist begins, where Moses begins, with the seed 

 reproducing its kind. But there is this wide differ- 



