The author of "The Vestiges" thinks that a presumption in its favor may be derived from "the analogy of the inorganic world,"-- in other words, from the supposed conversion of nebulae into planets and astral systems by the operation of natural causes; but this analogy has been conclusively set aside by disproving the hypothesis on which it depends.

He further thinks that a favorable presumption may be derived from "the analogy of the organic world,"-- in other words, from the process of propagation by which the races of plants and animals are perpetuated; but the presumption thence derived, so far from being favorable, is directly opposed to his theory, since all the facts which come under our cognizance in every department of Nature serve only to establish the two great maxims of Natural History,--that _organic life can spring only from organic life_, and that _like produces like, both in the vegetable and animal world_.
If we have succeeded in disposing of _the facts of the case_, we shall have little difficulty in exposing _the fallacy of the principles_ which are involved in the author's speculations on this subject.

It is of fundamental importance, in this inquiry, to form a clear and correct conception of the precise point at issue, and of the two alternatives between which we are called to make our choice.

It has been well said that "the great antagonist points in the array of the opposite lines are simply the LAW of Development _versus_ the MIRACLE of Creation."[51] And the author of "The Vestiges" virtually acknowledges this to be the real state of the question, when he says that "if we can see no _natural_ origin for species, a _miraculous_ one must be admitted."[52] Now, the grand alternative being Creation by Miracle or Creation by Law, that is, Creation by a Natural or by a Supernatural cause, we affirm that it is utterly presumptuous and unphilosophical to represent the one as less worthy of God, or more derogatory to His infinite perfections, than the other.

Yet the author does not hesitate to say that the _natural_ ought to be preferred to the _miraculous_ method of accounting for the origin both of planets and of their inhabitants, for this among other reasons, that the latter would be derogatory to the wisdom and power of the Most High.