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REV. PROF. G. HEXSLOW, T.L.S., 



into their correlations and causes ; (3) the generalizations from 

 them and the consequent discovery of natural laws ; (4) the 

 search for proofs of all inferences, deductions, hypotheses, etc. 

 These must be based, first on Induction, i.e., the accumulation 

 of coincidences, all conspiring individually and collectively to 

 establish the same pivbahility as a fact. Secondly, whenever 

 possible, induction must be corroborated by Uxjyerimental 

 Verification. 



The objects of natural science also include an investigation 

 into all the phenomena of physical forces. But the nature of 

 them, as well as the ultimate origin or Final Cause of both 

 Matter and Force are unknowable to science. 



Scientists are perfectly satisfied with inductions, or the 

 accumulations of probabilities, in all tlie physical sciences, and it 

 is my object to show that we depend largely and legitimately 

 upon them in Biology. Thus the conviction of the truth of the 

 doctrine of Evolution of all living beings, including man, is based 

 both on induction and experiment. By means of these it has 

 been incontestably and permanently established. I assume 

 that everyone here present is a believer in Evolution, though, 

 like myself, he may not accept Darwinism, i.e.^ Darwin's theory 

 of the Origin of Species hy Means of Natural Selection, the title 

 of his well-known work, to account for evolution. 



AVithout transgressing the bounds within which a student of 

 nature has wisely confined himself, namely, all that can appeal 

 to his senses as far as observation and experiment can carry 

 him, as well as just and logical inferences from them — my 

 object, I say, is to show that the nearest approach to a Einal 

 Cause possible to the scientist is that we must look to Life 

 alone as being endowed with the capacity of directing the lifeless 

 physical forces of nature, so that they act upon the also lifeless 

 matter, in order to compel them to form what we are justified 

 in calling imrposefid structures, i.e., each of them is of some 

 definite use to the plant or animal. 



Botany and Zoology have acquired a new name, that of 

 " Ecology." In former days the structure of plants and animals 

 was only studied for the sake of their classification. Anatomy 

 and Physiology were matters of independent laboratory w^ork. 

 Ecology brings every kind of study to bear upon the organism 

 as it lives wild in nature. The word means " Study " at " Home," 

 i.e., the natural surroundings of the organism ; just as " Economy " 

 means the " Ordering of the House." 



This new method of pursuit in Biology leads to the recognition 

 of " Associations," all the species of which live under the same 



