Everything in nature is the result of fixed laws.

It is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance.

On your life, underestimating the proclivities of finches is likely to lead to great internal hemorrhaging.

You ask about my opinion on vivisection. I quite agree that it is justifiable for real investigations on physiology; but not for mere damnable and detestable curiosity.

It is a fatal fault to reason whilst observing, though so necessary beforehand and so useful afterwards.

The earthquake, however, must be to every one a most impressive event: the earth, considered from our earliest childhood as the type of solidity, has oscillated like a thin crust beneath our feet; and in seeing the laboured works of man in a moment overthrown, we feel the insignificance of his boasted power.

But Geology carries the day: it is like the pleasure of gambling, speculating, on first arriving, what the rocks may be; I often mentally cry out 3 to 1 Tertiary against primitive; but the latter have hitherto won all the bets.