I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious views of anyone.

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.

Englishmen rarely cry, except under the pressure of the acutest grief; whereas in some parts of the Continent the men shed tears much more readily and freely.

Only picture to yourself a nice soft wife on a sofa with good fire, & books & music.

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

Often a cold shudder has run through me, and I have asked myself whether I may have not devoted myself to a fantasy.

Although I am fully convinced of the truth of the views given in this volume under the form of an abstract, I by no means expect to convince experienced naturalists whose minds are stocked with a multitude of facts all viewed, during a long course of years, from a point of view directly opposite to mine... I look with confidence to the future, to young and rising naturalists, who will be able to view both sides of the question with impartiality.