Evolution and the Origin of Life

CONTENTS.

I. THE EVOLUTION HYPOTHESIS AND THE ORIGIN OF LIFE.

PART I.

(From the Contemp›rary Review of March, 1874, with slight
Alterations and Additions.)

Evolution - Its Scope and Meaning—Uniformity of Nature—
Modifications of Doctrine often Incomplete at First-The
Nebular Hypothesis-Original Advent of Living Things
on the Earth-Views of Eminent Evolutionists-Mr.
Darwin-Mr. Herbert Spencer-Mr. G. H. Lewes-
Professor Huxley-Apparent Inconsistencies - Origination
and Growth Compared-These Processes in Crystalline
and in Living Matter respectively -No Reason why Origi-
nation of Living Matter should have Ceased-Professor
Clarke Maxwell on the Persistence of Molecular Properties
-Mr. Spencer's Assumption-Professor Huxley's Views
-Their Inconsistencies-Sir Wm. Thomson's Hypothesis
-Misconceptions concerning Spontaneous Generation—
These not to be Entertained by Evolutionists-Professor
Huxley's Suppositions concerning the Past-Their Unten-
ability when Judged by his own line of Criticism-Condi-
tions Favouring Growth mostly Favour Origination--
Present Continuance of Archebiosis-Shown by Existence
of the Lowest Organisms-Mr. Spencer's Mode of dealing
with this Question-His Views on this subject not Recon-
cilable with his Principles of Evolution-Has the Amoeba
a Longer Line of Ancestry than Man? Yes, unless the
Continuance of Archebiosis or Heterogenesis be Conceded.

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I-39

PART II.

(From the Contemporary Review of April, 1874, with Re-
arrangements and Additions.)

Inconsistency of Limiting Archebiosis to the Past-Professor
Huxley's Inaugural Address-Its Partial Consideration
of the Facts-Refutation of its Principal Positions—Air
does not Swarm with Bacteria Germs-Bacteria will
Appear in Fluids Previously Heated to 212° F.-Yet
Bacteria and other low Organisms are Killed in Fluids
Heated to 140° F.—Professor Huxley's Action in Face
of New Facts-Behaviour of Other Opponents of Spon-
taneous Generation-Sir John Herschel's Precepts.

Necessity of Examining the New and the Old Doctrine as

mere Hypotheses-Each Hypothesis Supported by an

Analogical Argument-That in favour of Archebiosis

-Foundations of the Counter Hypothesis-Insufficient

Warrant for the Formula 'Omne Vivum ex Vivo'-It

affords a Notable Instance of Faulty Induction-Weighty

Considerations in Support of Archebiosis-Heterogenesis

a Necessary Consequence of Archebiosis-Its Occurrence

harmonious with Physical Doctrines of Life-Evidence of

its Occurrence more Varied than for that of Archebiosis-

Detailed Enumeration of Evidence-Panspermism Weak

even as an Hypothesis-Mr. Justice Grove's Dictum-

Panspermism can be Overthrown by a Crucial Instance'

-Vacillations and Evasions of some Evolutionists in

Connection with this Part of the Subject--Concurrence

of Testimony as to the Temperature at which Living

Matter is Killed-Establishment of Archebiosis as a Law

of Nature.

New

Views

- Characteristics of Living Matter Its

Tendency to Organization-Conditions which Favour it-

Cause of Reproduction - Meaning of Heterogenesis-

Ephemeromorphs-'Alternate Generation'—Origin of

Species-Limitation of Sphere of 'Natural Selection'—

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43-50

50-69

PAGE

Its Real Influence- · Other Causes of Modification

Organic Polarity-Speculative Deductions Concerning

'Trees of Life' in the Past; Concerning the Resemblance

of their Products in Different Ages; Concerning the

greater Extent of this Resemblance amongst the Lowest

Types; and Concerning the possibility of the Vertebrate

Type having been more than once Attained.

II. ON THE Temperature at which BACTERIA, VIBRI-

ONES, AND THEIR SUPPOSED GERMS ARE KILLED WHEN

IMMERSED IN FLUIDS OR EXPOSED TO HEAT IN A

MOIST STATE.

(From the Proceedings of the Royal Society, No. 143, 1873)

Controversy between the Abbé Spallanzani and Needham-

Spallanzani's Conclusions-Overthrow of the Aerial-Con-

tamination Doctrines-Professor Huxley's Criticisms —

Writers' Previous Investigations on Vital Resistance of

Bacteria- Method of Experimentation-Applicable for

Invisible Germs and for Parent Organisms-Means for

Lowering Productivity of Organic Fluids-New Inocula-

tion Experin.ents-Tabular Results-Conclusions as to

Degree of Heat which Destroys Bacteria and their Gerius

-Decisive Nature of these Results-Taken in Conjunction

with other Experiments they Establish the Occurrence of

'Spontaneous Generation.'

III. FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE TEMPERATURE AT

WHICH BACTERIA, VIBRIONES, AND THEIR SUPPOSED

GERMS ARE KILLED WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT IN A

MOIST STATE; AND ON THE CAUSES OF PUTREFACTION

AND FERMENTATION.

(From the Proceedings of the Royal Society, No. 145, 1873.)

Different Behaviour of Saline Fluids and Organic Infusions
when Inoculated-Cause of this Difference-Two-fold
Composition of Inoculating Material—Its Living and its
Mere Organic Elements-The Temperature of 140° F.

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79-97

PAGE

may De-energize the Former but not the Latter-Experi-

ments with Infusions of Different Strengths tend to Prove

this-Reasons for Believing the Delayed Putrefaction in

Inoculated Organic Fluids Heated to 140° F. to be due to

the Mere Organic Matter of the Inoculating Medium —

Proof of this-And proof by New Experiments that

Bacteria and their Germs are Killed in Organic Fluids

Heated to 140° F. .

Uniformity of Evidence as to Death-point of Living