I accept extinction as best explaining disjoined species. I see that the same cause must have reduced many species of great range to small, and that it may have reduced large genera to so small, and of families. Asa Gray More Quotes by Asa Gray More Quotes From Asa Gray There is a class, moreover, by whom all these scientific theories, and more are held as ascertained facts, and as the basis of philosophical inferences which strike at the root of theistic beliefs. Asa Gray strike more class facts I take it for granted that you do not wish to hear an echo from the pulpit nor from the theological class-room. Asa Gray hear take you wish Why is it not just as likely that there were as many small general nearly at first as now, and as great a disproportion in the number of their species? Asa Gray why small just great Is it philosophical, is it quite allowable, to assume without evidence from fossil plants that the family or any of the genera was once larger and wide spread? and occupied a continuous area? Asa Gray plants without spread family I know some people who never have any difficulties to speak of. The moment I understood your premisses, I felt sure you had a real foundation to hold on. Asa Gray moment you speak people I proceed with the proper subject of this discourse; namely, the further changes in scientific belief, which have occurred within my own recollection, even since the time when I first aspired to authorship, now forty- five years ago. Asa Gray own changes my-own time But it was soon ascertained that this quaternary matter of the animal body was chemically the same in the plant, was elaborated there, and only appropriated by the animal. Asa Gray plant body matter animal