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 ii
... distinct meaning of the word ' natural ' is stated , fixed , or settled ; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so , i.e. to effect it continually or at stated times , as what is ...
... distinct meaning of the word ' natural ' is stated , fixed , or settled ; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so , i.e. to effect it continually or at stated times , as what is ...
Page 19
... distinct from those of Germany and conversely , and so with Hungary , Spain , & c . , but that each of these kingdoms possesses several peculiar breeds of cattle , sheep , & c . , we must admit that many domestic breeds have originated ...
... distinct from those of Germany and conversely , and so with Hungary , Spain , & c . , but that each of these kingdoms possesses several peculiar breeds of cattle , sheep , & c . , we must admit that many domestic breeds have originated ...
Page 20
... distinct races by crossing has been greatly ex- aggerated . There can be no doubt that a race may be modified by occasional crosses , if aided by the careful selection of those individual mongrels , which present any desired character ...
... distinct races by crossing has been greatly ex- aggerated . There can be no doubt that a race may be modified by occasional crosses , if aided by the careful selection of those individual mongrels , which present any desired character ...
Page 26
... distinct breed , the tendency to reversion to any character derived from such cross will naturally become less and less , as in each suc- ceeding generation there will be less of the foreign blood ; but when there has been no cross with ...
... distinct breed , the tendency to reversion to any character derived from such cross will naturally become less and less , as in each suc- ceeding generation there will be less of the foreign blood ; but when there has been no cross with ...
Page 28
... distinct breeds , that male and female pigeons can be easily mated for life ; and thus different breeds can be kept together in the same aviary . I have discussed the probable origin of domestic pigeons at some , yet quite insufficient ...
... distinct breeds , that male and female pigeons can be easily mated for life ; and thus different breeds can be kept together in the same aviary . I have discussed the probable origin of domestic pigeons at some , yet quite insufficient ...
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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