The Evolutionary Unit of Measurement

The starting point of Darwin's theory of evolution is precisely the existence of those differences between individual members of a race or species which morphologists for the most part rightly neglect. The first condition necessary, in order that any process of Natural Selection may begin among a race, or species, is the existence of differences among its members; and the first step in an enquiry into the possible effect of a selective process upon any character of a race must be an estimate ...

 "Peculiar Difficulties" of Geology

Geology has its peculiar difficulties, from which all other sciences are exempt. Questions in chemistry may be settled in the laboratory by experiment. Mathematical and philosophical questions may be discussed, while the materials for discussion are ready furnished by our own intellectual reflections. Plants, animals and minerals, may be arranged in the museum, and all questions relating to their intrinsic principles may be discussed with facility. But the relative positions, the shades of di...

 God Made Man With Reason

For being educated, from my cradle, in the grossest superstition and idolatry, God was pleased to make my own reason, and such as made use of theirs, the happy instruments of my conversion. Thus I have been very early accustomed to examination and enquiry, and taught not to captivate my understanding, no more than my senses to any man or society whatsoever.