82 THE DOCTRINE OF DESCENT. 
V. 
The Standpcint of the Miraculous, and the Investigation of Nature—Creation 
or Natural Development—Linnzeus—Cuvier—Agassiz—Examination of 
the Idea of Species. 
‘‘T hear your message well, it cannot wake my faith. 
To faith is miracle her dearest child.” * 
HAVING quoted these words of Faust, we will proceed 
without further digression to examine the standpoint 
occupied by the Natural Philosopher with regard to a 
domain where the sceptre is wielded, not by the lucid 
intellect, but by the imagination looking through coloured 
glasses; not by Logic, but by arbitrary ideas; where 
the laws of causality are turned upside down; a domain 
where, indeed, many unquestionably honourable men 
still feel themselves at home, but which at best fosters 
only pious self-deception, and indolence of mind. 
We must take up a decided position without regard 
to consequences, as after the discussion of the actual 
record of the animal world in its three aspects, 
namely, its present tenantry of complete forms, the 
evolution of the individuals, and the historical suc- 
cession during the earlier periods of the earth’s forma- 
tion,—after this superficial work of registration and 
enrolment, the actual study of our subject must begin. 
* “ Die Botschaft hér'ich wohl, allein mir fehlt der Glaube. 
Das Wunder ist des Glaubens liebstes Kind.” 
