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 23
... exterminated ; and the common rock - pigeon , which has the same habits with the domestic breeds , has not been exterminated even on several of the smaller British islets , or. CHAP . I. 23 DOMESTIC PIGEONS .
... exterminated ; and the common rock - pigeon , which has the same habits with the domestic breeds , has not been exterminated even on several of the smaller British islets , or. CHAP . I. 23 DOMESTIC PIGEONS .
Page 52
... exterminate the parent species ; or both might co - exist , and both rank as independent species . But we shall hereafter have to return to this subject . From these remarks it will be seen that I look at the term species , as one ...
... exterminate the parent species ; or both might co - exist , and both rank as independent species . But we shall hereafter have to return to this subject . From these remarks it will be seen that I look at the term species , as one ...
Page 102
... exterminated . In man's methodical selection , a breeder selects for some definite object , and free intercrossing will wholly stop his work . But when many men , without intending to alter the breed , have a nearly common standard of ...
... exterminated . In man's methodical selection , a breeder selects for some definite object , and free intercrossing will wholly stop his work . But when many men , without intending to alter the breed , have a nearly common standard of ...
Page 106
... exterminated . Each new form , also , as soon as it has been much im- proved , will be able to spread over the open and con- tinuous area , and will thus come into competition with many others . Hence more new places will be formed ...
... exterminated . Each new form , also , as soon as it has been much im- proved , will be able to spread over the open and con- tinuous area , and will thus come into competition with many others . Hence more new places will be formed ...
Page 107
... exterminated . And it is in fresh water that we find seven genera of Ganoid fishes , remnants of a once preponderant order : and in fresh water we find some of the most anomalous forms now known in the world , as the Ornithorhynchus and ...
... exterminated . And it is in fresh water that we find seven genera of Ganoid fishes , remnants of a once preponderant order : and in fresh water we find some of the most anomalous forms now known in the world , as the Ornithorhynchus and ...
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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