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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Results 1-5 of 44
Page vi
... developed in an unusual manner are highly variable : specific characters more variable than generic : secondary sexual characters variable - Species of the same genus vary in an analogous manner Reversions to long - lost characters ...
... developed in an unusual manner are highly variable : specific characters more variable than generic : secondary sexual characters variable - Species of the same genus vary in an analogous manner Reversions to long - lost characters ...
Page 5
... developed being or elaborately constructed organ ; secondly , the subject of Instinct , or the mental powers of animals ; thirdly , Hybridism , or the infertility of species and the fertility of varieties when intercrossed ; and ...
... developed being or elaborately constructed organ ; secondly , the subject of Instinct , or the mental powers of animals ; thirdly , Hybridism , or the infertility of species and the fertility of varieties when intercrossed ; and ...
Page 21
... developed crop , which it glories in inflating , may well excite astonishment and even laughter . The turbit has a very short and conical beak , with a line of reversed feathers down the breast ; and it has the habit of continually ...
... developed crop , which it glories in inflating , may well excite astonishment and even laughter . The turbit has a very short and conical beak , with a line of reversed feathers down the breast ; and it has the habit of continually ...
Page 22
... develop- ment of the bones of the face in length and breadth and curvature differs enormously . The shape , as well as the breadth and length of the ramus of the lower jaw , varies in a highly remarkable manner . The number of the ...
... develop- ment of the bones of the face in length and breadth and curvature differs enormously . The shape , as well as the breadth and length of the ramus of the lower jaw , varies in a highly remarkable manner . The number of the ...
Page 25
... developed . More- over , when two birds belonging to two distinct breeds are crossed , neither of which is blue or has any of the above - specified marks , the mongrel offspring are very apt suddenly to acquire these characters ; for ...
... developed . More- over , when two birds belonging to two distinct breeds are crossed , neither of which is blue or has any of the above - specified marks , the mongrel offspring are very apt suddenly to acquire these characters ; for ...
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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