Sir-
I am writing you on this day, the 24th of November 1859, on the account of todays publication of your research titled "On the Origin of Species". I myself, James Hutton, have dedicated my days to research similar to your own. I believe you may be interested in my findings.
We have run into similar issues as well, Darwin. Before we had our research and the scientific methods, we had the bible. Now, according to this book the Earth was only a few thousand years old, but upon inspection I believe that translation to be much too literal- and I set out to disprove it.
By trade I am a geologist, so I set up in Scotland and began to study the natural forces and their effect on the Earths surface. I observed the wind and rain and found erosion, the idea that these observable forces will, over time, wash away parts of old land in preparation for new land formations- meaning that the surface of our planet is static. This erosion happens very, very slowly. Around this time I ponder; has the Earth always been static? If so, what did the earth used to look like? Were the old conditions of our planet suitable for life now, or has life been forced to change …show more content…
I observed cliff faces in Scotland and noticed that there was distinct layers- and I realized these layers (which we shall refer to as 'strata') have been formed by settling of land and erosion just as I had witnessed already on a much smaller scale. But my god, these rock faces had been there for so long, it must have taken millions of years to form! Charles, it was truly amazing. All of my questions were being answered! The Earth began to appear to me as a machine, always chugging along; although, when a part breaks or looses momentum, the earth would 'repair' or change itself and its environment. The perfect machine, requiring no human aid. The Earth had to have always been static, for millions of years this was all changing, so surely life must have as
I am writing you on this day, the 24th of November 1859, on the account of todays publication of your research titled "On the Origin of Species". I myself, James Hutton, have dedicated my days to research similar to your own. I believe you may be interested in my findings.
We have run into similar issues as well, Darwin. Before we had our research and the scientific methods, we had the bible. Now, according to this book the Earth was only a few thousand years old, but upon inspection I believe that translation to be much too literal- and I set out to disprove it.
By trade I am a geologist, so I set up in Scotland and began to study the natural forces and their effect on the Earths surface. I observed the wind and rain and found erosion, the idea that these observable forces will, over time, wash away parts of old land in preparation for new land formations- meaning that the surface of our planet is static. This erosion happens very, very slowly. Around this time I ponder; has the Earth always been static? If so, what did the earth used to look like? Were the old conditions of our planet suitable for life now, or has life been forced to change …show more content…
I observed cliff faces in Scotland and noticed that there was distinct layers- and I realized these layers (which we shall refer to as 'strata') have been formed by settling of land and erosion just as I had witnessed already on a much smaller scale. But my god, these rock faces had been there for so long, it must have taken millions of years to form! Charles, it was truly amazing. All of my questions were being answered! The Earth began to appear to me as a machine, always chugging along; although, when a part breaks or looses momentum, the earth would 'repair' or change itself and its environment. The perfect machine, requiring no human aid. The Earth had to have always been static, for millions of years this was all changing, so surely life must have as