144 WHAT IS DARWINISM* 



to produce force, that of the animal to expend 

 it. The plant, in virtue of a power peculiar to 

 itself, which no art or skill of man can imitate, 

 transmutes dead inorganic matter into organic 

 matter, suited to the sustenance of animal life, 

 and without which animals cannot live. The 

 gulf, therefore, between the plant and animal 

 would seem to be impassable. 



Further, the variations by which the change 

 of species is effected are so trifling as often to 

 be imperceptible, and their accumulation of 

 them so slow as to evade notice, — the time 

 requisite to accomplish any marked change must 

 be counted by millions, or milliards- of years. 

 Here is another demand on our credulity. 

 The apex is reached when we are told that all 

 these transmutations are effected by chance, 

 that is, without purpose or intention. Taking 

 all these things into consideration, we think it 

 may, with moderation, be said, that a more 

 absolutely incredible theory was never pro- 

 pounded for acceptance among men. 



2. There is no pretence that the theory can 

 be proved. Mr. Darwin does not pretend to 

 prove it. He admits that all the facts in the 

 case can be accounted for on the assumption of 

 divine purpose and control. All that he claims 



