"Geological age plays the same part in our views of the duration of the universe as the Earth's orbital radius does in our views of the immensity of space."

"The sediments of the past are many miles in collective thickness: yet the feeble silt of the rivers built them all from base to summit."

"That the sea is one of the most beautiful and magnificent sights in Nature, all admit."

"All great results in our universe are founded in motions and forces the most minute."