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tion cannot be true. It stands, therefore, that as Evolution 
must be true such changes did take place, notwithstanding 
their unreasonableness. 
Finally, it is to be believed that out of nonentities came 
potentialities ; by the action of the non-living came life; by 
the motions of the inorganic were produced the organic ; and 
by the commingling of the atoms of gross matter were pro- 
duced thought, will, and conscience. Though all this is 
opposed to human reason and common sense, it matters not ; 
it must be believed. 
These articles of the Evolutionists’ Creed may be popular 
—as doubtless they are,—but we are bold enough to say that 
they are erroneous, and therefore, instead of subscribing to 
them lest we should incur the wrath of some of the leaders of 
ea thought, we prefer to re-assert the Old Faith, which 
olds :— 
1. That God did at the first create a certain number of 
distinctive creatures, which, though capable of variation within 
well-defined limits, have always produced other creatures 
essentially after their own kind. 
2. That each distinct group of animals was formed on a 
well-arranged plan or type, so to speak: and thus, though 
there is a similarity of a general character in the various sub- 
kingdoms, there is a dissimilarity between the members of 
one group and the members of another group of the same 
sub-kingdom, which proclaims them as distinct: built up, it is 
true, according to a well-devised plan, but not derived from 
each other. 
The Caarrman (Mr. H. Cadman Jones).—Mr. Hassell’s paper has been 
listened to with so much attentive interest, that I need hardly ask the 
meeting to return its thanks to the author, but take it for granted that those 
thanks are unanimously accorded. If any present have remarks to make 
upon it, we shall be glad to hear them. 
Mr. W. P. James.—I rise to say how entirely I agree with what Mr. 
Hassell has said in reference to Mr. Grant Allen. As a botanist, I must 
say that I think that agreeable writer is really carrying the theory of 
evolution to a simple reductio ad absurdum. He appears to me to convert 
the whole thing into a romance. In his hands plants can do all but speak. 
Unfortunately for the interests of true science, there are others who pursue 
the same method. I might refer to the lady whom Mr. Hassell has 
mentioned,—although it is with regret that one criticises the works of one 
belonging to the fair sex ; but I am sure her books are open to the same 
objection, from the zoological point of view. She takes it for granted that 
the doctrine of evolution is true, and, although a very painstaking writer, 
