)what are some of the important scientific discoveries that laid the groundwork for darwin's theory of evolution?

Thomas Henry Huxley theories was one of the basic reason that laid down the theory of evolution.

transmutation of species was one of the reason also laid the theory of evolution.

if the hares very faster than they are now, and thus the lynx's hunting success rate drops because it will be harder to catch them, the rate that will change will be the pray-rate. the pray-rate will change because more hares will be able to survive, thus more individuals for reproduction, so the end result will be increasing population of hares.

the predator-rate will remain pretty much the same because there will be more than enough pray, but the hunting success rate is stagnant.

answer and explanation;

volcanic rocks are igneous rocks which form from lava, molten rock which has been thrust out of a volcano onto the surface of a rocky body such as an asteroid, planet, or dwarf planet.  

plutonic rocks are igneous rocks which form from subterranean chambers of molten rock or magma. plutonic rocks make up the base of continental crust as well as oceanic crust. their slow rate of formation causes them to be coarse grained since there is plenty of time for large crystals to form before the magma solidifies into rock.

the textural difference is that plutonic rocks are more coarse grained than volcanic rocks. plutonic rocks are coarse grained while volcanic are fine grained ; glassey or fragmental. since fine and coarse are adjectives the decision as to whether a rock is fine or coarse grained is generally made on the bases of whether or not the individual crystals can be seen in most if the rock.