THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 
271 
which in this case takes place very often in a second. 4 Having 
so established the idea of coincidences, the argument passes on to 
the more complex molecules which form the first living matter ; 
and it is supposed that coincidences arise, by which a living mole- 
cule is formed in the same way as benzene. But, it is admitted, 
this would be far away from a speck of Protoplasm, and thousands 
of years of evolution would be necessary for the passage of the 
one to the other. The reason assigned why this sort of Spon- 
taneous Generation does not occur in our experiments is that 
there is not time enough in the limits of our observations for a 
coincidence of the "favourable position." 
If this is the last and utmost that can be said with a view to 
the scientific explanation of the origin of Life on purely mechan- 
ical principles, I think the most we can say, in consideration of 
the probabilities and improbabilities of such a purely chance 
coincidence, is, non solvitur. 
I think it must be obvious that the position taken, though 
differently set forth, by Mr. Spencer and Professors Huxley and 
Clifford is different in reference to the main question, from that 
taken by those who adduce specific proofs and evidences of the 
origin of Life from the inorganic, from Spontaneous Generation 
and other disputable hypotheses relating to present-day occurrences 
and conditions of organic matter. They push the principle of 
Continuity to its logical issue, and speculate as to a process 
involving the gradual emergence of Life from the primordial 
atoms ; and inasmuch as the Spencerian system of evolution 
makes all chemical conditions, and probably the very elements 
themselves, the outcome of the original kicking of ultimate units 
of matter one against another, it follows that Life is the outcome, 
in the last analysis, of a mechanical interaction of the ultimate 
atoms. It would be too great a work here and now to enter on 
an examination of, or to formulate, difficulties connected with so 
vast a scheme of philosophy. I may, however, say that there are 
men prominent in science who think they see inseparable diffi- 
culties in accepting such a view of the origin of Life. There 
still remains the inherent difficulty of forming any rational con- 
ception of the passage from mere mechanical or chemical inter- 
actions to that marvellous elective power towards a definite end 
which characterizes the vital phenomena. Even so great an 
4 Contemporary Review, August, 1888, p. 202. 
