In discussing the origin of life upon the earth, we of the twentieth century must recognise such facts as may be obtainable in regard to life upon other orbs than ours. Now, in the first place, there is at least one illustrious contemporary astronomer, Professor Pickering, the chief living student of the moon, in whose opinion there are many evidences upon our satellite of the action of vegetation, either past or present. This, of course, is not the place for a discussion of that evidence; it is, however, the place to record the most highly qualified opinion at present obtainable, and to remind ourselves of the certainty that when the moon was first borne--or born--from the earth, life cannot possibly have been evolved, since the conditions of temperature alone, to name one factor, were such as life could not sustain, no liquid water being extant. There is some reason to suppose, then, that, whatever the present case may be, life was at one time spontaneously evolved upon the moon. The second piece of astronomical evidence relevant to our inquiry is afforded by the planet Mars. This, of course, is a much controverted question, which cannot receive any discussion here. It suffices to note that Professor Lowell, who is admittedly the greatest living authority on Mars, has observed and photographed, not merely to his own satisfaction, but to that of an ever increasing number of astronomers, signs of vegetation upon Mars. I will say nothing here as to the existence of intelligent beings there. That fascinating and momentous question, upon which there will doubtless be difference of opinion for some time to come, does not now concern us. It is of quite sufficient significance for our present purpose if the existence of merely vegetable life, and no more, upon the planet Mars can be demonstrated, and there are now very few astronomers indeed who question this demonstration, however chary they may be of going any further. I submit that the question of the beginning of life upon the earth should not be considered without reference to the evidence which suggests the spontaneous origin of life upon the moon, and to the practically positive demonstration of the present existence, with seasonal alternations, as on our own earth, of vegetable life in the watered areas of Mars. [Sidenote: The Earth’s Crumbling “Foundations”]