SOME MODERN VIEWS 31 

any instances to the contrary, we should have 
known of them.” But it was only by an utter in- 
attention to this latter all-important proviso that 
the ‘‘ past experience of mankind” could ever have 
appeared to warrant the truth of the induction 
omne vivum ex vivo. Living matter may have 
been continually coming into being all over the 
surface of the earth ever since the time of man’s 
first appearance upon it; and yet the fact that no 
member of the human race has ever seen (or 
is ever likely to see) such a birth, need throw 
no shadow of doubt upon the probability of its 
occurrence. 
Neither of these general considerations, therefore, 
however weighty they may at first seem to be, 
ought to have much effect in influencing the opinions 
of scientific men as to whether Archebiosis does or 
does not occur. Whatever influence they may have 
had in creating a kind of intellectual atmosphere 
favourable to disbelief, something more was needed 
to lead to a definite opinion against the present 
occurrence of anything that could be called 
‘‘spontaneous generation.” This finally determin- 
ing element was the view taken concerning the 
results of experiments that had been made in 
relation to the question—and especially the results 
published in a celebrated memoir issued by Pasteur 
in 1862.1 
Neither Darwin, Huxley, nor Spencer ever 
undertook any experimental work on this subject 
themselves, and probably the opinions of Darwin 
1 Ann. de Chim. et de Physique, T. \xiv. pp. 5-110. 
