Discourses - Biological and Geological Essays

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Discourses, by Thomas H. HuxleyThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: Discourses Biological and Geological EssaysAuthor: Thomas H. HuxleyRelease Date: November 12, 2003 [EBook #10060]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOURSES ***Produced by Imran Ghory, Stan Goodman, Richard Prairie and PG Distributed ProofreadersDISCOURSES:BIOLOGICAL & GEOLOGICALESSAYSBYTHOMAS H. HUXLEY1894PREFACEThe contents of the present volume, with three exceptions, are either popular lectures, or addresses delivered toscientific bodies with which I have been officially connected. I am not sure which gave me the more trouble. For I havenot been one of those fortunate persons who are able to regard a popular lecture as a mere hors d'oeuvre, unworthyof being ranked among the serious efforts of a philosopher; and who keep their fame as scientific hierophantsunsullied by attempts—at least of the successful sort—to be understanded of the people.On the contrary, I found that the task of putting the truths learned in the field, the laboratory and the museum, intolanguage which, without bating a jot of scientific accuracy shall be generally intelligible, taxed such scientific andliterary faculty as I possessed to ...