148 
to the senses. It is not at all needful to regret such an 
inconsistency or to confine ourselves to seen hje. 
5. To generate is to give beginning. Used m such a dis- 
cussion as that in which we are at present engaged, generation 
means the giving of a beginning to life or sell-movement in an 
individual plant or animal. Spontaneous generation hterally 
would mean to give such a beginning to oneself, and would of 
course be absurd. But the phrase is no* used Merally The 
idea which it is intended to represent is that of the hfeless 
giving origin to the living. The inorganic is thought of as 
givino- origin to the organic, and the vegetable as giving origin 
fo the animal. It is true that as yet the only no ion which 
evolutionists attempt to support is that of pw 1 *^ 
molecules giving origin to individual life, and the vegetable 
thus generating the animal; but that is of no value to then 
system of thought apart from the truly inorganic generating 
the organic, at least in the vegetable. The chain of evo hitron 
is incomplete and useless to their purpose until this link 
forged and inserted. „ 
6. Darwin speaks of the creation of a few forms, or ot one, 
but if the notion of those who hold to really molecular gene- 
ration held good, he would have no need for such a thoug^- 
Here, for example, is an infusion of hay, and it has been s 
treated that all truly organic existence m it is held to be 
destroyed. If it could only now be fairly regarded as in- 
organic matter,— if living piants, however _ small, could L be 
seen springing into existence from it, and if these meie plants 
could be seen uniting themselves and becoming 
animals, what a grand commencement would here he made 
for the Darwinian theory ! It wants only ; sufficient time, am d 
the films that become molecules, these molecules that become 
vibrios, these vibrios that become higher forms, and these 
higher forms that become higher still, shall reach the human 
form at last ! The symmetry of the notion is perfect. Ihe mis- 
chief-maker in the case is that enemy of all mere notions-stern 
old Fact. It is no doubt wonderful how this old foe is evade , 
and even wheedled into something like acquiescence lor a 
time; but ever and again, like Galileo on the earth s motion 
he spoils the sport by assertions that damage the whole 
structure of fond fancy. . « 
7 Let us try, by means of some suitable illustration, 
have a good, clear view of this notion as to the origin of life. 
Perhaps we cannot get a better than that which ^ found nr 
the case of a grave Professor who is an enthusiast m this 
same notion. It is far better to take one who is on the positive 
in favour of a fancy, and to take his facts and arguments, 
