5i4 
Phenomena of Ontogenesis 
[October, 
of progenitors, the first origin of life in this natural method 
is at once self-evident. But even if the proof were given, 
which never can be given, that in the present world sponta- 
neous generation does not occur, the inference would be false 
that it never did.” It is evident from these remarks that 
Oscar Schmidt is fully sensible of the important bearing of 
the question of spontaneous generation on the mechanical 
theory of life, a subject we shall discuss later in this paper. 
The mechanical view of evolution is held by Professors 
Huxley and Tyndall, and by Mr. Herbert Spencer and 
others. 
We have referred to another class of evolutionists. It is 
represented by those who, while admitting the sufficiency of 
natural selection and other extraneous causes to account for 
a wide range of fadls, do not consider that they are adequate 
to explain all the phenomena connected with animate na- 
ture. Apart from this general agreement their views do not 
altogether coincide. The following short descriptions of 
some of the most important opinions will greatly facilitate 
the reader in forming an estimate of the value of the conclu- 
sions hereinafter arrived at, as it will be seen that these 
opinions (notably that of Mr. Wallace), derived from general 
considerations, coincide in a remarkable manner with the 
results deduced in this paper from independent sources. 
As is well known, Mr. Wallace, independently of Mr. Dar- 
win, elaborated the theory of natural selection, but he differs 
from Mr. Darwin in some important particulars. He does 
not consider natural selection adequate to account for the 
cerebral development of a savage, who, while possessing a 
brain little inferior in size to that of a philosopher, has 
mental qualities very slightly superior to those of some of 
the higher mammals. Thus the enlargement of the brain, 
which is equivalent to an increase of mental capability, is 
unnecessary to the savage and in advance of his require- 
ments, and is therefore due to some cause other than natural 
selection. A reserve of mental capacity has been accumu- 
lated in the savage, which renders him capable of rapid 
civilisation and improvement. Natural selection fails also 
to account for the absence of hair on the human body, as its 
loss could in no wise have been beneficial [ Darwin , however, 
considers this to be due to sexual selection ] . The extreme 
development of the larynx in the female sex could never have 
been acquired by savages, as it is beyond their wants, and 
their known habits could not have effected it. From these 
and other considerations, such as the want of relation be- 
tween a number of man’s mental qualities and his material 
