PROFESSOR TYNDALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 67, 18 March 1880, Page 2

PROFESSOR TYNDALL.

In a rpcent number of tbe Fortnightly Review, Profeesor Tyndall declares i- — *• If asked "whether science has eolvedj or is likely in our day to solve, the problem of ths universe, I tuuat Bhake coy head in doubt. Behind and above and around us tbe real niyetery ot the universe lies unsolved, aurf, as far as we are concerned, is incapable of solution. Tbe problem of tbe connection of body and soul is as insoluble iv its modern form as it was in (he pveecientiflo ages. ** There ought to be a clear distinction tnade between science in tbe state of hypothesis and science in the state of fact. " And inasmuch as it is still in its hypothetical stage, the ban of exclusion ought to fall upon the theory of evolution. 11 After speaking of the th ory of evolution applied to tbe primitive condition of matter, as belonging to the dim twilight of conjecture, the certainty of espsricasatoit inquiry is here siut out. i "Those who hold the doctrine o\ evolution are by no means ignorant of the uncertainty of their data, and they only yield to it a provisional asaent. "In reply to your question, they will frankly admit their inability to point to any satisfactory experimental proof (bat life can be developed, save from demonstrable antecedent lite. "I share Viichow'fl opinion that the theory of evolution iv its complete form involves tbe assumption that, at some period or other of tbe earth's history, there occurred what would be called spontaneous generation. I agree with him that tbe proofs of it are still wanting. "I bold with Virchotr that the failures have been lamentable, that toe doctrine is utterly discredited."