PREFACE. ix 
in brief compass, a synopsis of other evidence in 
favour of Archebiosis and Heterogenesis (the two 
processes now included under the phrase ‘Spon- 
taneous Generation’); to indicate some of the 
modifications in biological doctrine which a belief 
in the present occurrence of these processes will 
necessitate ; and generally to show, to the best of 
my ability, the weakness and untenability of the 
old view. 
In the execution of a task so complicated and 
difficult, there must necessarily be many imper- 
fections. I am anxious, however, to promote what 
I consider to be the cause of truth, and have 
therefore collected the papers included in the 
present volume, in the hope that they may be of 
some little use and interest to those desirous of 
obtaining information on the present aspect of the 
great questions to which they relate. 
QUEEN ANNE STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, 
October 26th, 1874. 
