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 1
... occurred to me , in 1837 , that something might perhaps be made out on this question by patiently accumulating and reflecting on all sorts of facts which could possibly have any bearing on it . After five years ' work I allowed myself ...
... occurred to me , in 1837 , that something might perhaps be made out on this question by patiently accumulating and reflecting on all sorts of facts which could possibly have any bearing on it . After five years ' work I allowed myself ...
Page 15
... occur ; but natural selection , as will hereafter be explained , will determine how far the new characters thus arising shall be preserved . When we look to the hereditary varieties or races of our domestic animals and plants , and ...
... occur ; but natural selection , as will hereafter be explained , will determine how far the new characters thus arising shall be preserved . When we look to the hereditary varieties or races of our domestic animals and plants , and ...
Page 25
... occur together in any other species of the whole family . Now , in every one of the domestic breeds , taking thoroughly well - bred birds , all the above marks , even to the white edging of the outer tail- feathers , sometimes concur ...
... occur together in any other species of the whole family . Now , in every one of the domestic breeds , taking thoroughly well - bred birds , all the above marks , even to the white edging of the outer tail- feathers , sometimes concur ...
Page 47
... occur in deciding whether or not to rank one form as a variety of another , even when they are closely con- nected by intermediate links ; nor will the commonly- assumed hybrid nature of the intermediate links always remove the ...
... occur in deciding whether or not to rank one form as a variety of another , even when they are closely con- nected by intermediate links ; nor will the commonly- assumed hybrid nature of the intermediate links always remove the ...
Page 55
... occur in a group having many species , than in one having few . To test the truth of this anticipation I have arranged the plants of twelve countries , and the coleopterous insects of two districts , into two nearly equal masses , the ...
... occur in a group having many species , than in one having few . To test the truth of this anticipation I have arranged the plants of twelve countries , and the coleopterous insects of two districts , into two nearly equal masses , the ...
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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