Amidst the vicissitudes of the earth's surface, species cannot be immortal, but must perish, one after another, like the individuals which compose them. There is no possibility of escaping from this conclusion.
Charles LyellRead
The question now at issue, whether the living species are connected with the extinct by a common bond of descent, will best be cleared up by devoting ourselves to the study of the actual state of the living world, and to those monuments of the past in which the relics of the animate creation of former ages are best preserved and least mutilated by the hand of time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of studying both current life forms and fossil records to understand the connections between living and extinct species.
Charles Lyell highlights the significance of both contemporary species and fossil remains in understanding biological evolution and the relationships between organisms across time. He suggests that to resolve questions about the lineage and connections of species, a thorough investigation into the living world and preserved remnants from the past is essential, underscoring the notion that both present and historical evidence are crucial for advancing our knowledge of life's continuity.
Themes
EvolutionSpeciesFossilsBiological HistoryDescent
In practice
Example use cases
In a science class discussing the principles of evolution.
More from Charles Lyell
All quotes →When the aggregate amount of solid matter transported by rivers in a given number of centuries from a large continent, shall be reduced to arithmetical computation, the result will appear most astonishing to those...not in the habit of reflecting how many of the mightiest of operations in nature are effected insensibly, without noise or disorder.
Charles LyellRead
Never was there a dogma more calculated to foster indolence, and to blunt the keen edge of curiosity, than the assumption of the discordance between the former and the existing causes of change.
Charles LyellRead
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