Produced by Imran Ghory, Stan Goodman,

Richard Prairie and PG Distributed Proofreaders

DISCOURSES:

BIOLOGICAL & GEOLOGICAL

ESSAYS
BY
THOMAS H. HUXLEY

1894

PREFACE

The contents of the present volume, with three exceptions, are either popular lectures, or addresses delivered to scientific bodies with which I have been officially connected. I am not sure which gave me the more trouble. For I have not been one of those fortunate persons who are able to regard a popular lecture as a mere hors d'oeuvre, unworthy of being ranked among the serious efforts of a philosopher; and who keep their fame as scientific hierophants unsullied by attempts—at least of the successful sort—to be understanded of the people.