Where did Life Begin ? 1 1 



It is not claimed that these views have been 

 proved to be true inductively, but there are 

 certain facts and phenomenon pointing di- 

 rectly to definite conclusions hereinafter stated 

 which I am sure every one holding and be- 

 lieving that the earth was at one time a 

 molten mass will find it easier and more rea- 

 sonable to admit than deny. 



Regarding the earth, then, as at one time an 

 intensely hot globe, totally destitute of organic 

 life, one of the principal and indispensable con- 

 ditions of rendering it habitable for plants and 

 animals evidently would be the radiation into 

 space of its excessive and destructive heat. 

 The accomplishment of this, with the train of 

 concurrent effects which would follow, or at 

 least ever have followed the gradual reduction 

 of temperature, is all that would be necessary 

 to render the earth a suitable place for the 

 maintenance of vegetal and animal life. At 

 any rate this is precisely what has taken place 

 since the commencement of the azoic age, 

 and is still taking place on parts of the earth's 

 surface to-day, visible and obvious to any 

 observer. 



