1873-1874.] 2 5 



and equally adjusted movement. For as we now find, at least so 

 astronomers say, the world hastening towards that time when it shall 

 approach the sun so nearly and rapidly that fusion will take 

 place — and all this going on without anything unusual being per- 

 ceptible to ordinary observers — so, I think, might creation have 

 culminated by gradual development, without any vast hiatus or 

 gap having occurred. I shall briefly explain what I mean. We are 

 told, in the " Book of Genesis," that on the third day were created 

 grass, trees, herbage, &c, whilst it was not until the fifth day that 

 animated nature made its appearance. Now it has generally been 

 admitted of late years that the word which has been translated day 

 in reality means & period of time ; in fact, it may be that it comprises 

 a cycle of years, or periods so vast that the human mind refuses 

 to grasp their immensity. Now it is also a fact, well known to 

 naturalists, that very little difference exists between the lowest forms 

 of animal and some low forms of vegetable life ; and I think it 

 would be as wonderful, yea, as I said before, more wonderful, if the 

 one had been resolved from the other than if they had been separately 

 created ; and I am of the opinion, if this work of evolution were 

 completed in the period which is comprehended in the fifth day, 

 it is only on that day that it can be said that special creation has 

 taken place. Just as in the case of an artizan ; he makes the 

 wheels and springs of a watch, but it is only when all these parts 

 are in proper relation to each other, and it can be contemplated as 

 a perfect whole, that the term watch can be applied. Again, the 

 flying reptiles and gliding animals are very little removed from others 

 which have not a membraneous cuticle adapted as a wing, and I think 

 it is quite possible that this cuticle— as in the Lemuridse — may have 

 arisen from such causes as Mr. Darwin terms " natural selection." 

 But I deny that the creature knowingly of itself exerted any in- 

 fluence in this selection \ and herein I differ from Mr. Darwin. 

 However, I may briefly state, that I believe those who say creation 

 was done and could only have been done in this way or that, with- 

 out having due and very weighty reasons for doing so, are likely to 

 be in error, and I consider by so doing they are limiting the power 



