84 A NEW THEORY OF EVOLUTION. 



We know that the materials of the first 

 engine did not of themselves combine or take 

 thought to become an engine, and we know 

 that every successive improvement or step in 

 its evolution was effected by the active inter- 

 vention of the intelligence and power that 

 fashioned the first. May we not then con- 

 clude, at least until we have some evidence to 

 the contrary weightier than mere inference, 

 that the process of evolution was in many 

 respects analogous to the development of the 

 steam - engine, and was not brought about 

 by secondary causes or by " spontaneous " 

 variation ? 



If we are to speculate on the matter, it 

 seems to us in accordance with common-sense, 

 and what we know of Nature, to believe that 

 the Creative Power that first brought life 

 into being, continued to intervene in evolv- 

 ing, with purposes we may try to imagine 

 but can never know, a scheme of evolution, 

 whereof part was the production of new 

 types more or less highly specialised, by a 

 method that utilises, as man, unconsciously 

 following the example, utilises, a realised 

 conception in evolving a new. 



