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) |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 85
Page vi
... namely , intercrossing , isolation , number of individuals - Slow action Extinction caused by Natural Selection Divergence of Cha- racter , related to the diversity of inhabitants of any small area , and to naturalisation - Action of ...
... namely , intercrossing , isolation , number of individuals - Slow action Extinction caused by Natural Selection Divergence of Cha- racter , related to the diversity of inhabitants of any small area , and to naturalisation - Action of ...
Page 5
... namely , first , the difficulties of transi- tions , or in understanding how a simple being or a simple organ can be changed and perfected into a highly developed being or elaborately constructed organ ; secondly , the subject of ...
... namely , first , the difficulties of transi- tions , or in understanding how a simple being or a simple organ can be changed and perfected into a highly developed being or elaborately constructed organ ; secondly , the subject of ...
Page 6
... namely , that each species has been independently created - is erro- neous . I am fully convinced that species are not im- mutable ; but that those belonging to what are called the same genera are lineal descendants of some other and ...
... namely , that each species has been independently created - is erro- neous . I am fully convinced that species are not im- mutable ; but that those belonging to what are called the same genera are lineal descendants of some other and ...
Page 14
... namely , that our domestic varieties , when run wild , gradually but certainly revert in character to their aboriginal stocks . Hence it has been argued that no deductions can be drawn from domestic races to species in a state of nature ...
... namely , that our domestic varieties , when run wild , gradually but certainly revert in character to their aboriginal stocks . Hence it has been argued that no deductions can be drawn from domestic races to species in a state of nature ...
Page 23
... namely , that all have descended from the rock - pigeon ( Columba livia ) , including under this term several geographical races or sub - species , which differ from each other in the most trifling respects . As several of the reasons ...
... namely , that all have descended from the rock - pigeon ( Columba livia ) , including under this term several geographical races or sub - species , which differ from each other in the most trifling respects . As several of the reasons ...
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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