64 Natural History. 



nine miles of book shelves alleged to exist in the British 

 Museum, I do not believe that one would be appreciably 

 nearer the solution of such problems as the origin of life or 

 the origin of matter. 



Professor Schaeffer's address to the British Association 

 was, of course, a model of clear and lucid exposition. Pro- 

 bably no one else now living could have so explained the 

 difficult subject of elementary physiology to a popular 

 audience. 



But is it a serious contribution to the study of a very 

 difficult question? 



We were, as students in Edinburgh twenty-five years ago, 

 told about and discussed colloid substances, the growth of 

 cystals, and the deceptive similarity of certain magnetic 

 phenomena to a few of the figures in cell division ; but in what 

 way can these and other similarities be considered as proofs? 

 If this is evidence, I would as soon believe in the sea serpent. 



Moreover, if you refer to the discussion following that 

 address, you will find first, that the only speaker who directly 

 supported Professor Schaeffer differed with him on quite a 

 radical point ; second, that every other disputant did not agree 

 either with the President or with anyone else. 



I do not myself think that Professor Schaeffer's views 

 are prevalent amongst scientists. Even if they were. Science 

 does not recognise infallibility. I have no time to say any- 

 thing regarding the great story of the Ascent of Man, but 

 there is one point that has greatly impressed me. Man in 

 his lowest, most animal stage, even when his life could hardly 

 differ from that of a squirrel, seems to have had glimmerings 

 of a real religion. Evidence of this seems clear enough, and 

 is found at the very earliest period at which any evidence can 

 be reasonably expected. 



During the long story of his development periods of crass 

 materialism have occurred, usually in days of accumulated 

 wealth and a comfortable security. Such periods are always 

 remarkable for gross superstition, and the last few years 

 have been no exception to that rule. 



The other day I counted forty-two distinct advertisements 

 in a Parisian journal of good standing ; all of them were from 



