As some of the lowest organisms, in which nerves cannot be detected, are capable of perceiving light, it does not seem impossible that certain sensitive elements in their sarcode should become aggregated and developed into nerves, endowed with this special sensibility.

Great is the power of steady misrepresentation; but the history of science shows that fortunately this power does not long endure.

Sympathy for the lowest animals is one of the noblest virtues with which man is endowed.

Thus we have given to man a pedigree of prodigious length, but not, it may be said, of noble quality.

Worms have played a more important part in the history of the world than humans would at first suppose.

When primeval man first used flint stones for any purpose, he would have accidentally splintered them, and would then have used the sharp fragments. From this step it would be a small one to break the flints on purpose and not a very wide step to fashion them rudely.

But when on shore, & wandering in the sublime forests, surrounded by views more gorgeous than even Claude ever imagined, I enjoy a delight which none but those who have experienced it can understand.