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Charles Darwin on Facts and Theory

Charles Darwin in a letter to Henry Fawcett (Darwin & Seward, 1903), cited in Plant Microevolution and Conservation in Human-influenced Ecosystems (Cambridge University Press : Nov 26, 2009), p. 12.

About 30 years ago there was much talk that geologists ought to observe and not to theorize; and I well remember someone saying that at that rate a man might as well go into a gravel-pit and count the pebbles and describe the colours. How odd it is that anyone should not see that all observation must be for or against some view if it is to be of any service!