ORIGIN OF LIFE ON THE EARTH. 135 



exhibit a rudimentary form of reproduction, 

 though it would be infinitely removed from 

 even the faintest dawn of conscious existence. 

 Wallace mentions a dew-drop as an illustration 

 of his meaning ; a glacier would perhaps be a 

 better illustration ; but Murphy, after carefully 

 considering the subject, will not allow that the 

 latter can be termed a living body.* This dis- 

 crepancy, however, arises only from a different 

 use of terms, and is simply verbal. Wallace has 

 not stated his views on the origin of organic 

 life, but they are probably similar to those which 

 he advocates on the origin of man, which will 

 be considered in our next chapter. 



It is possible that the ultimate origin of life, 

 matter, and the immutable laws of nature are 

 under the direct control of the First Cause, and 

 are thus beyond the knowledge or influence of 

 created beings. This view of life seems to be 

 maintained by most writers on the subject, and 

 theoretically even by Darwin himself, though, in 

 practical illustration of his theories, he pushes 

 his reasoning far enough to satisfy even the 

 most materialistic of his followers. Of course 



* " Habit and Intelligence," vol. i. p. 84. 



