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 vi
... 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 - Summary 131-170 - CHAPTER ...
... 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 - Summary 131-170 - CHAPTER ...
Page 5
... manner profitable to itself , under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life , will have a better chance of surviving , and thus be naturally selected . From the strong principle of inheritance , any selected variety will ...
... manner profitable to itself , under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life , will have a better chance of surviving , and thus be naturally selected . From the strong principle of inheritance , any selected variety will ...
Page 6
... manner as the acknowledged varieties of any one species are the descendants of that species . Furthermore , I am con- vinced that Natural Selection has been the main but not exclusive means of modification . CHAPTER I. VARIATION UNDER ...
... manner as the acknowledged varieties of any one species are the descendants of that species . Furthermore , I am con- vinced that Natural Selection has been the main but not exclusive means of modification . CHAPTER I. VARIATION UNDER ...
Page 10
... manner . To judge how much , in the case of any variation , we should attribute to the direct action of heat , moisture , light , food , & c . , is most difficult : my impression is , that with animals such agencies have produced very ...
... manner . To judge how much , in the case of any variation , we should attribute to the direct action of heat , moisture , light , food , & c . , is most difficult : my impression is , that with animals such agencies have produced very ...
Page 14
... manner as in the crossed offspring from a short- horned cow by a long - horned bull , the greater length of horn , though appearing late in life , is clearly due to the male element . Having alluded to the subject of reversion , I may ...
... manner as in the crossed offspring from a short- horned cow by a long - horned bull , the greater length of horn , though appearing late in life , is clearly due to the male element . Having alluded to the subject of reversion , I may ...
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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