To G. C. Wallich   28 March 1882

My dear Sir

You expressed quite correctly my views where you say that I had intentionally left the question of the origin of life uncanvassed as being altogether ultra vires in the present state of our knowledge, and that I dealt only with the manner of succession.¹ I have met with no evidence that seems in the least trustworthy in favour of so-called spontaneous generation.² I believe that I have somewhere said (but cannot find the passage) that the principle of continuity renders it probable that hereafter life will be shown to be a part or consequence of some general law; but this is only conjecture and not science³   I know nothing about the Protista, and shall be very glad to read your lecture when it is published, if you will be so kind as to send me a copy.

I remain, my dear Sir, | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin