185 
REVIEWS. 
THE HISTORY OF CREATION.* 
A SSUREDLY, if by the term Creation is to be understood the making* 
of the animal and vegetable worlds by the Creator, then the first 
portion of the title of the present work is slightly out of place. Of course- 
the secondary portion of the title sufficiently explains the nature of the book; 
but then that in no manner affects the question. The work is essentially 
one which seeks to bring about the utter annihilation of the Christian faith^ 
and a belief to the fullest extent in the doctrine of Evolution in the deve- 
lopment of all animals in a direct line one from the other — the highest 
having proceeded from the lowest. Of course there is nothing new to be 
presented in a work like the present one. The writings of Darwin, Huxley,, 
and Herbert Spencer have adequately enough established the doctrine of 
evolution in the minds of most scientific men. But something further was 
necessary for the introduction of this matter to the minds of the masses,., 
and for the rendering the subject so general that the reader could grasp it 
in all its details. A labour of this kind was not of a simple character ; it 
required two separate tasks to be performed by the writer — one to examine 
the subject in all its aspects, and the other to render his account so clear 
and intelligible that it would have no difficulty in entering the mind of a 
popular reader. How has Herr Haeckel done his portion of the task, and 
how have the editor and translator performed theirs ? We think there 
cannot be a doubt — save on the part of those who are prejudiced on this 
point — that the author has discharged a most difficult task with conscientious 
skill and with marvellous ability. On some points we may think he has 
gone further than absolute testimony would warrant, but these are unim-- 
portant ; while we cannot help admiring the honest fearlessness with which 
he expresses opinions which not a few of our English workers hold, but are* 
afraid to acknowledge. In this respect he reminds us somewhat of another 
* “ The History of Creation ; or, the Development of the Earth and its 
Inhabitants by the Action of Natural Causes.” A Popular Exposition of the 
Doctrine of Evolution in general, and of that of Darwin, Goethe, and 
Lamarck in particular. From the German of Ernst H. Haeckel, Pro- 
fessor in the University of Jena. The translation revised by Professor 
E. R. Lankester, M.A., F.R.S., Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford. In 
2 vols. London : King & Co. 1876. 
