Persistence of Existence 39 



the present time is the answer given by du 

 Bois Reymond, ignoramus, we do not know. 



Scientifically we do not ; and for a man of 

 science to pretend, or to assert in a popular 

 treatise, that we do, is essentially and 

 seriously to mislead. (See Chapter VII. 

 below.) It may even be a question 

 whether the assertion of entire ignorance 

 at the present time is completely appro- 

 priate, whether we have not some positive 

 evidence against Professor Haeckel's conten- 

 tion. I believe that we have ; and though I 

 may acquiesce in an assertion of present 

 ignorance, I am not at all willing to accept 

 the next sentence of Professor du Bois- 

 Reymond's answer, and to say ignoraiimus, 

 we never shall know. 



The matter seems to me within the 

 legitimate lines of scientific inquiry, and it 

 is unwise to attempt prediction, especially 

 negative prediction, or to attempt to close 

 the door to the future developments of 

 knowledge. 



But I am content to say for the present 



