8 EVOLUTION AND THE 
all the more desirable that this should be done, 
since the inconsistencies may be easily shown to be 
wholly uncalled for, and to involve sundry unscientific 
conceptions. Yet the modifications of opinion which 
appear to be demanded—on the ground of fact as well 
as on the ground of reason—will necessitate very con- 
siderable and almost revolutionary changes in the 
accepted code of biological doctrines. 
An examination of the facts of science generally 
and of various every-day phenomena, teaches us, 
according to the Evolutionist, that Matter of different 
kinds, situated as it is and has been, gradually tends 
within certain limits to become more and more 
complex in its internal and external constitution. 
Coupling this conclusion with various astronomical 
data, with geological data, and with facts derived 
from the study of the past forms of Life upon our 
globe, the Evolutionist essays to penetrate through 
the long vista of bygone ages, till he may rest his 
speculative gaze upon a vast rotating nebular mass 
of gaseous matter of comparatively simple though 
unknown constitution, from which he supposes our 
Universe to have been slowly evolved. Without futile 
questionings as to the explanation or cause of the 
existence of the Nebula—without speculation as to 
what simpler or more complex matter may have 
immediately preceded it—it is obvious that we may 
