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 v
... species — Wide ranging , much diffused , and common species vary most - Spe- cies of the larger genera in any country vary more than the species of the smaller genera - Many of the species of the larger genera resemble varieties in ...
... species — Wide ranging , much diffused , and common species vary most - Spe- cies of the larger genera in any country vary more than the species of the smaller genera - Many of the species of the larger genera resemble varieties in ...
Page viii
... species- different rates of change - Species once lost do not reappear Groups of species follow the same general rules in their appear- On Extinction ance and disappearance as do single species On simultaneous changes in the forms of ...
... species- different rates of change - Species once lost do not reappear Groups of species follow the same general rules in their appear- On Extinction ance and disappearance as do single species On simultaneous changes in the forms of ...
Page 6
... species and varieties , if he makes due allowance for our profound ignorance in regard to the mutual relations of all the beings which live around us . Who can explain why one species ranges widely and is very numerous , and why another ...
... species and varieties , if he makes due allowance for our profound ignorance in regard to the mutual relations of all the beings which live around us . Who can explain why one species ranges widely and is very numerous , and why another ...
Page 16
... species of the same genus , in several trifling respects , they often differ in an extreme degree in some one part , both when compared one with another , and more especially when compared with all the species in nature to which they ...
... species of the same genus , in several trifling respects , they often differ in an extreme degree in some one part , both when compared one with another , and more especially when compared with all the species in nature to which they ...
Page 17
... species . In the case of some other domesticated species , there is presumptive , or even strong evidence , that all the breeds have descended from a single wild stock . It has often been assumed that man has chosen for domestication ...
... species . In the case of some other domesticated species , there is presumptive , or even strong evidence , that all the breeds have descended from a single wild stock . It has often been assumed that man has chosen for domestication ...
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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