New-York daily tribune., 1866-02-15

Although the substance OF this work was deNY-
cred as course Of popular lectures at the lowell
institute in Boston, its method and illustrations
are so purely scientific in their character, that II
can scarcely claim the interest the comprehension
/ OF general readers. A concise SUMMARY in form
free from technicaies, and adapted 10 the level OF
intelligent outsiders, of the results obtained by the
scientific researches and experiments which arc CO.
piously detailed, would have greatly enhanced the
practical value of the volume, and awakened high
degree OF curiosity in regard TO ts remarkable
| tents.
The author, who is adjunct professor of zoology
in Harvard College, brings forward an extensive
mass of facts and discoveries, which he claims TO
be original with himself in illustration of tie
| origin and Development of animal life. Without
being follower Of Darwin, or OF the school which
explains the universe by the action of physical
laws, ne believes that second causes aro universal
in their operation and more comprehensive in their
effects than has usually been recognized by the re-
ligious view of natural history. Professor Clark
however, maintains that the theory Of progressive
development is not incompatible with the highest
ideas of religion. His researches go to prove that
there is power at work in the universe which pos
sesses forcknov ledge, the design Of foreeasting,
foreordaining mind, thinking intelligent, animate
being, with such a combination of powers as no
form of physical law could possibly be conceived
10 represent. The agency OF this being finds pow
erful illustration in the development theory. In
the succession OF beings from lower to higher
type Professor Clark finds the most valid proof Of
an intelgeL being, designing ordainlng, and con-
trolling the phenomena OF nature. The laws,
which the elder physicists did not attempt 10 de-
riye from intelligence, but which were regarded
as the necessary operations of matter upon matter,
arc now understood to exhibit rate of sue
cession, showing that they do not work OF their
own accord, but are controlled by a creative
forethought and design. The progressive relations
bv which different classes Of animals are allied to
each other afford one OF the most convincing aTgu-
mcn,s for intelligent causality in organic life.
The chemical elements. according TO Professor
Clark which are combined IN various proportions
in the bodies Of all living animals, are bound TO-
eethcr in certain forms groups by another prin-
cple or affinity which is not commonly recognized
In our daily experience. This 1. me principle of
life or vital affinity between which and the natural
chemical affinity, there is constant stnegb, each
striving 20 countcract the operations Of the other
So closely do these two aiiinities approach each
other in the range OF their actions that there j. on
the one hand, the drop Of resin gun, or inu'us,
held together by the natural chemical affinity, and,
on the other hand thcrr certain living being7of
such simple structure that they may be compared
10 drop of gum or mucus, but which ere held to-
rether by the affinity called principle Of liie Some
very curious experiments are described intended to
show that beings Of this character have been pro-
duccd whore life could not possibly have existed
prevously-that from these impcriectly organ
ized but vet animate bodies, still higher forms OF
organic life may Ike their start. This is the key'o
the scientific position of Professor CLARK, which j.
illustrated by an ample and snguarly ingenious
seres Of experiments and analyses in thc course OF
the volume. It may safely be- predicted that few
works will BE- more frequently referred To or hold a
higher place in the controversy the subject which
is destined for some time to 20 engage the a.
ten,ion of students OF natural history.
We regret 10 perceive that difference exists be-
tween the author and Professor Agassz IN regard
10 their respective shares III the materials Of the
great work of the latter. " Contributions 20 the
Natural II story of the United States" Professor
Clark olas the credit of al least the microscopic
observations ~ that wors and sustsins his case by
apparently .1rcible reasons.
-. 49,. MON, rDtptcr cpot-,snyu ~ ppTvCt.