ORIGIN OF LIFE. 15 
differences are due to this one cause, but, on the 
contrary, we are justified in assuming a deeper prin- 
ciple which may be thus formulated: All the complex 
organisms are evolved from organisms less complex, 
as these were evolved from simpler forms: the link 
which unites all organisms is not always the common 
bond of heritage, but the uniformity of organic laws 
acting under uniform conditions. . . . It is there- 
fore consistent with the hypothesis of Evolution to 
admit a variety of origins or starting points.” In 
this paper Mr. Lewes distinctly postulates the prob- 
ability of a repetition of the process of Archebiosis, 
wherever the conditions were favourable, and though 
he says nothing against the continuance of such a 
process in the present day, neither does he dwell 
upon it as a probability. 
Professor Huxley’s* opinions on the subject of 
Archebiosis are very similar to those of Mr. Spencer} 
with the exception that he seems more strongly 
opposed to the notion of its occurrence at the present 
day, and it is to this aspect of the question that I 
would now direct the reader's attention. Why should 
“men of such acknowledged eminence in matters of 
Philosophy and Science as Mr. Herbert Spencer and 
Professor Huxley promulgate a notion which seems 
* Inaugural Address at Meeting of British Association, WVature, 
Sept. 15, 1870, Pp. 404. 
