220 WALTER KIDD, M.D., F.Z.S., ON 



scientific details, but many are qualified to offer an opinion upon 

 the broad principles which the writer of the paper has brought 

 under our notice. 



Every page that Dr. Walter Kidd has read to us is an epitome 

 of a vast amount of work and thought. Every one of his para- 

 graphs deserves thorough consideration and discussion. All, I am 

 sure, agree with the general views he has expressed. 



There is another circumstance that ought to encourage members 

 of the medical profession to study those branches of science which 

 are connected with their work in life and g-enei'ally to take a 

 scientific view of things. A distinguished, member of our profes- 

 sion has been made President of the Royal Society — the highest 

 position which a man can take in Science. 



Is it well that scientific questions of this kind should be 

 entirely left to be decided and taught in an authoritative 

 way by the so-called scientist ? The whole subject requires dis- 

 cussion. 



For my own part I should not think of deviating one hair's- 

 breadth from reason, and appealing to, or being led by, authority. 

 If we cannot give sufficient reasons for accepting views that seem 

 to be opposed, to some doctrines of evolution which have been put 

 forward, I think we must consider that we are beaten. Is 

 " evolution " an answer to the question concerning the exact 

 changes which take place not only at the earliest period of 

 existence, but in all living matter at every period of existence? 

 No one, from the mechanical or chemical side, has really explained, 

 these changes in one single case. 



Of course authority must always exercise a temporary influence 

 on public opinion, but I think we might now clearly submit a 

 distinct issue with regard to the so-called mechanical and 

 chemical cha^nges that take place in this minute transparent 

 mass of living stuff. We know that in certain cases movement, 

 heat, light, electricity are all evolved in living things, and we 

 also know that the movements, heat, light, and electricity we 

 obtain from machines we make, are produced under circumstances 

 totally different froni those present in living organisms. Just 

 compare the phenomena, as they occur in living things, with 

 the phenomena as they occur in non-living man-made machines 

 as we know them. Contrast any electrical apparatus with the 

 electric organ, the " apparatus " of the gymnotus or that of some 

 other species. Is there the faintest resemblance between the 

 moist striTctures and organs that have all grown from j^erfectly 



