48 EVOLUTION AND THE 
facts has shown it to be otherwise.* Later in the 
day Professor Huxley may, perchance, learn more 
readily to distinguish the difference between ‘ mark- 
ing time’ and marching. 
Again, many of those who do not fully believe in the 
Evolution Hypothesis, and who still cling, more or less 
fully, to a ‘vitalistic’ philosophy appear bewildered, 
if not terrified, by the conclusion which stubborn facts 
threaten to force upon them. ‘They behave in the 
most inconsistent manner, and,-in dealing with these 
facts imperilling their old prepossessions, they find it 
convenient to forget for the time and occasion the ordi- 
nary rules of scientific research, Although the turning- 
_ point of the whole question as to the present occur- 
\ rence or non-occurrence of Archebiosis must obviously 
depend upon the precise temperature at which living 
matter ceases to live, none of those who are opposed 
to a belief in its present occurrence, and have taken 
part in the controversy, will fairly face this all-import- 
ant part of the question. They are alert enough 
to realize their danger. For those who have admitted 
that Bacteria will appear in previously-boiled fluids 
would have no possible loophole for escape, if they 
also found the facts I have mentioned concerning the 
thermal death-point of Bacteria, and living matter 
generally, to be correct. Hence they studiously 
* See Professor Huxley’s ‘‘ Critiques and Addresses,” 1873, with his 
emarks on this subject at the conclusion of the Preface, 
