On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life"In considering the Origin of Species, it is quite conceivable that a naturalist, reflecting on the mutual affinities of organic beings, on their embryological relations, their geographical distribution, geological succession, and other such facts, might come to the conclusion that each species had not been independently created, but had descended, like varieties, from other species. Nevertheless, such a conclusion, even if well founded, would be unsatisfactory, until it could be shown how the innumerable species inhabiting this world have been modified, so as to acquire that perfection of structure and coadaptation which most justly excites our admiration. Naturalists continually refer to external conditions, such as climate, food, & c, as the only possible cause of variation. In one very limited sense, as we shall hereafter see, this may be true; but it is preposterous to attribute to mere external conditions, the structure, for instance, of the woodpecker, with its feet, tail, beak, and tongue, so admirably adapted to catch insects under the bark of trees. In the case of the misseltoe, which draws its nourishment from certain trees, which has seeds that must be transported by certain birds, and which has flowers with separate sexes absolutely requiring the agency of certain insects to bring pollen from one flower to the other, it is equally preposterous to account for the structure of this parasite, with its relations to several distinct organic beings, by the effects of external conditions, or of habit, or of the volition of the plant itself"--Introduction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) |
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Page v
... genera - Many of the species of the larger genera resemble varieties in being very closely , but unequally , related to each other , and in having restricted ranges 44-59 CHAPTER III . STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE . Its bearing on.
... genera - Many of the species of the larger genera resemble varieties in being very closely , but unequally , related to each other , and in having restricted ranges 44-59 CHAPTER III . STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE . Its bearing on.
Page 15
... closely allied species , we generally perceive in each domestic race , as already remarked , less uniformity of character than in true species . Domestic races of the same species , also , often have a somewhat monstrous character ; by ...
... closely allied species , we generally perceive in each domestic race , as already remarked , less uniformity of character than in true species . Domestic races of the same species , also , often have a somewhat monstrous character ; by ...
Page 16
... closely- allied species of the same genus in a state of nature . I think this must be admitted , when we find that there are hardly any domestic races , either amongst animals or plants , which have not been ranked by competent judges ...
... closely- allied species of the same genus in a state of nature . I think this must be admitted , when we find that there are hardly any domestic races , either amongst animals or plants , which have not been ranked by competent judges ...
Page 18
... closely resemble , perhaps are identical with , those still existing . Even if this latter fact were found more strictly and generally true than seems to me to be the case , what does it show , but that some of our breeds originated ...
... closely resemble , perhaps are identical with , those still existing . Even if this latter fact were found more strictly and generally true than seems to me to be the case , what does it show , but that some of our breeds originated ...
Page 19
... closely resembling the Italian greyhound , the bloodhound , the bull - dog , or Blenheim spaniel , & c . - so unlike all wild Canida -ever existed freely in a state of nature ? It has often been loosely said that all our races of dogs ...
... closely resembling the Italian greyhound , the bloodhound , the bull - dog , or Blenheim spaniel , & c . - so unlike all wild Canida -ever existed freely in a state of nature ? It has often been loosely said that all our races of dogs ...
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Common terms and phrases
adapted affinities allied species America analogous ancient animals become bees believe birds breeds cause cells chapter characters cirripedes climate closely allied colour continuous crossed crustaceans degree difficulty distinct species divergence domestic doubt embryo Europe existing exterminated extinct extremely facts favourable Fcap fertility flowers formations forms fossil Gärtner genera genus geological geological period Glacial period greater number groups of species habits Hence hermaphrodites History hybrids hybrids produced important individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intercrossing intermediate land larvæ less living male mammals manner migration modification modified descendants natural selection naturalists nearly nest offspring perfect pigeons plants pollen Portrait Post 8vo present principle probably produced progenitor racter ranked reciprocal crosses remarked resemble rudimentary organs Second Edition seeds sexual selection Silurian slight South America sterility structure struggle successive supposed theory Third Edition tion variability variations varieties vary Vols widely Woodcuts