234 PEOF. G. MACLOSKIE, D.SC._, LL.D., ON 



description of it, which shows it to be a process of most extra- 

 ordinary complexity. 



First you have the nucleus of the cell forming itself into a sort 

 of spiral coil, then the coil breaking up into eight separate little 

 lobes, and then the formation of two spiral centres and a radiation 

 from those centres of extremely fine fibi'es, these fibres getting hold 

 of the lobes of matter and dividing the contents of the cell into 

 two parts, and finally selecting those parts according to their 

 nature, so as to divide the whole of the matter into two separate 

 portions of equal size but of different properties, so as to make 

 two cells out of one, not merel}^ by dividing it in halves but into 

 two cells of different properties, so that one develops in one 

 direction and one in another. All this is extremely complicated 

 and extremely wonderful, and all taking place within a minute cell 

 which almost defies the power of the microscope to distinguish it. 

 Where does all this wonderful mechanism come from ? We can 

 hardly suppose that it made itself. I do not see how we can say 

 that it was evolved out of something simpler, because this is the 

 beginning, the first step. So it seems to me when I look at the 

 wonderful things we find in nature, they really do not lead us to 

 suppose that we can explain the world too easily and find no need 

 of a Creator ; bu^t rather, perhaps, on the contrary, that the 

 world is not by any means so easy to explain as some think it is, 

 and that ihe very simplest operation of nature — -the very first 

 germination of a spore — is such a very complicated operation, that 

 it requires, if not Divine power, at any rate a power intinitely 

 transcending anything that we can imagine, or that the human 

 brain can conceive, to carry it out. (Applause.) 



Rev. F. A. Walker, D.D., etc. — There is a passage on page 228, 

 where it is said, " we presume that the cerebration of the evil 

 disposed is as great quantitatively as that of the well disposed, and 

 that the cerebration of an idiot involves as much expenditure of 

 blood and brain tissue as that of Newton." I should like to 

 know if this has been proved beyond dispute. We know at any 

 rate that the brains of many distinguished men have been of 

 exceptional weight. That of Cuvier, the naturalist, who has been 

 mentioned to-night, was found to be over the average bulk or 

 weight. 



Dr. A. T. ScHOFiELD. — In reference to Cuvier's brain, I may 

 mention that weight is not always a sign of great intelligence. 



