62 
and so placed at some disadvantage. It is impossible that 
any such effort on the part of a fish could result in the good 
of the race. 
Here then, again, we see that tested by its own canon 
‘natural selection ” is found wanting. 
6. A few examples may next be given of the evidence of 
design in the lower forms of animal life. 
First—The Contrivances for Oxygenating the circulatory 
Fluids, and for obtaining Food in the Lower Forms of Animals. 
(a.) The common Sponge.—This lowly creature, like all 
animals, must be nourished by food. It is, however, except 
as a germ, fixed during the whole of its life, and so is unable 
to go in search of its prey. What, then, must be done? The 
food must be brought to it. How is this accomplished? Thus. 
Its internal structure consists of a number of canals and 
cavities. The cavities are furnished with numerous delicate 
cilia, and these ciliated cavities are in connexion with an in- 
current and an ex-current system of canals. ‘The former are 
connected with numerous pores, which are periodically opened , 
and closed in the dermal membrane ; the latter are in direct 
connexion with the oscula. When, therefore, the pores are 
opened and the cilia which line the cavities are moved rapidly, 
the water in them is set in motion, and passes out by the oscula; 
more water, of course, passing in to take the place of that 
which flows out, and thus a constant current is produced. The 
water, as it passes through the structure, brings with it both 
the oxygen and the food which are necessary for the support 
of the creature. 
Now if the Spongida were evolved out of the Amceba which 
has neither ciliated cavities nor canals, these appendages must 
have been produced in their entirety whenever they did appear, 
there being nothing upon which natural selection could work. 
And then it must not be forgotten that the Amoeba was en- 
tirely in harmony with its environment, and therefore there 
was no call—if one may so speak—for any alteration in 
structure. 
(b.) The Means of Defence in the Cuttle-fishes. 
These creatures have many enemies. The sharks and other 
inhabitants of the ocean regard them as a favourite morsel. 
Few, however, are thus destroyed. Why? Because the 
weaker creature is provided with a special organ of defence. 
It has a muscular bag, in which is secreted an inky fluid, which 
can be ejected at will. There is a communication between 
this ink-bag and the siphon through which the water passes, 
after having bathed the branchia. When, therefore, an enemy 
appears the contents of the ink-bag is passed into the siphon 
