"My success as a man of science, whatever this 

 may have amounted to, has been determined, as far 

 as I can judge, by complex and diversified mental 

 qualities and conditions. Of these, the most impor- 

 tant have been — the love of science — unbounded 

 patience in long reflecting over any subject — industry 

 in observing and collecting facts — and a fair share 

 of invention as well as of common sense. With such 

 moderate abilities as I possess, it is truly surprising 

 that I should have influenced to a considerable 

 extent the belief of scientific men on some important 

 points." 



Autobiography (1881); The Life and Letters of Charles 

 Darwin, Vol. i. p. 107. 



