The creation of species from absolutely nothing is termed the ΓÇÿspontaneous generation of speciesΓÇÖ and was a popular belief at some times in the past. It was quite understandable that people should arrive at such ideas, when to see, for example, a piece of meat become "suddenly" and "magically" covered in mould, maggots, and worms was a common occurrence in the middle ages.
