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 9
... instances ) , yet having their reproductive system so seriously affected by un- perceived causes as to fail in acting ... instance , the rabbit and ferret kept in hutches ) , showing that their repro- ductive system has not been thus ...
... instances ) , yet having their reproductive system so seriously affected by un- perceived causes as to fail in acting ... instance , the rabbit and ferret kept in hutches ) , showing that their repro- ductive system has not been thus ...
Page 11
... instance , I find in the domestic duck that the bones of the wing weigh less and the bones of the leg more , in proportion to the whole skeleton , than do the same bones in the wild - duck ; and I presume that this change may be safely ...
... instance , I find in the domestic duck that the bones of the wing weigh less and the bones of the leg more , in proportion to the whole skeleton , than do the same bones in the wild - duck ; and I presume that this change may be safely ...
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... instance , it could be shown that the greyhound , bloodhound , terrier , spaniel , and bull - dog , which we all know propagate their kind so truly , were the offspring of any single species , then such facts would. 16 CHAP . I. VARIATION.
... instance , it could be shown that the greyhound , bloodhound , terrier , spaniel , and bull - dog , which we all know propagate their kind so truly , were the offspring of any single species , then such facts would. 16 CHAP . I. VARIATION.
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... instance the wattle and length of beak of the carrier , the shortness of that of the tumbler , and the number of tail - feathers in the fantail , are in each breed eminently variable ; and the explanation of this fact will be obvious ...
... instance the wattle and length of beak of the carrier , the shortness of that of the tumbler , and the number of tail - feathers in the fantail , are in each breed eminently variable ; and the explanation of this fact will be obvious ...
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... instance a Ribston - pippin or Codlin - apple , could ever have pro- ceeded from the seeds of the same tree . Innumerable other examples could be given . The explanation , I think , is simple : from long - continued study they are ...
... instance a Ribston - pippin or Codlin - apple , could ever have pro- ceeded from the seeds of the same tree . Innumerable other examples could be given . The explanation , I think , is simple : from long - continued study they are ...
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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