171 
evolved from some low ascidian form of mollusk through a 
long line of diversified forms by insensibly fine gradations.* 
2. Confining my attention to the life of mammals, it will be 
my object to show the high probability that at certain geo- 
logical periods there were such breaks in the continuity of that 
order of life that fresh creations became a necessity, and, if 
so, as a consequence the hypothesis of evolution cannot be true. 
o. Professor Huxley would not venture to say that it is 
impossible that the multitudinous species of animals had been 
independently originated by an endless succession of creative 
acts but that it was so astoundingly improbable that 
he felt compelled to adopt the hypothesis of evolution.^^ 
4. It is !not my intention to-night to discuss the question 
theologically, but I will content myself with saying that, 
admitting the existence of an Almighty and All- wise Creator, 
no amount or variety of creative acts is to my mind astound- 
ingly improbable. 
5. The doctrine of evolution, like that of the antiquity of 
man, is by many being quietly assumed, under the impression 
that it has been scientifically proven. But the evidence for the 
antiquity of man has had to be reconsidered, and that recon- 
sideration has greatly shaken the foundations upon which the 
doctrine has been built ; as Principal Dawson says, The tide 
is decidedly turning as to the antiquity of man .... and 
the Institute [the Victoria Institute] has certainly done its 
part in contributing to this result.^^ f And I would just 
remark in passing, that in the absence of man’s antiquity, 
evolution (so far as man is concerned) is impossible. On the 
hypothesis of Charles Darwin ten or twenty thousand years 
would be but a fraction of the time that the minute changes of 
his theory demands. 
6. But to come more directly to the subject before us. The 
probable breaks in the continuity of mammalian life in certain 
geological periods. Let us first examine the Pleistocene. 
7. By some geologists the Pleistocene is considered the 
equivalent of the Glacial period, whilst others suppose that 
the Glacial period formed but a part of the Pleistocene, Pro- 
fessor Dawkins placing it at an earlier, and Principal Dawson 
at a later, part; but for our purpose it will not be necessary to 
determine which is correct. 
8. The last ten years have greatly enlarged our knowledge 
of fche extent of the Earth’s glaciation during the Ice age, so 
Darwin’s Descent of Man, vol. ii. pp. .389-390. 
t Vol. XV. p. 208. 
