The Variation of Animals and Plants Under DomesticationCharles Darwin (1809-1882) first published this work in 1868 in two volumes. The book began as an expansion of the first two chapters of On the Origin of Species: 'Variation under Domestication' and 'Variation under Nature' and it developed into one of his largest works; Darwin referred to it as his 'big book'. In volume 2, concerned with how species inherit particular characteristics, Darwin first published his 'provisional hypothesis' of pangenesis. This theory of 'gemmules' was not met with much acceptance and today is not valuable as scientific explanation, but it was important in laying down the key questions that needed to be answered regarding the processes of genetic inheritance. Darwin also used volume 2 to challenge the theories of evolution by design, expounded by the botanist Asa Gray. Darwin's arguments were some of the very first in a long debate that remains hot today. |
Contents
CHAPTER XIII | 28 |
TO EMBRYOLOGY AS EXHIBITED IN DOMESTICATED ANIMALS AS EXHIBITED | 62 |
FREE INTERCROSSING OBLITERATES THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALLIED BREEDS | 85 |
CHAPTER XVI | 100 |
CHAPTER XVII | 114 |
CHAPTER XIX | 173 |
CHAPTER XX | 192 |
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Common terms and phrases
affected analogous Andrew Knight animals and plants Antirrhinum appear become birds bred breeders breeds buds capsules cattle cause cells changed conditions chapter characters climate close interbreeding colour common correlation crossed degree disease distinct species dogs domestic races domesticated animals doubt extremely facts fantail pigeons feathers female fertilised fertility flowers fowls Fritz Müller fruit Gard Gardener's Chronicle Gärtner gemmules given Hist horns horses hybrids individuals inherited insects instance kinds Kölreuter large number larvæ likewise maize male mammæ manner modified natural selection natural species nearly nectarine niata observed occasionally occur offspring Oncidium flexuosum organs ovules pangenesis Paraguay parent-form parents peculiar peloric period pigeons pigs pistils pollen pollen-grains Poultry prepotency probably produced progenitor propagated quadrupeds racter remarks reproductive respect result reversion seed seedlings seen sheep slight stamens sterility stripes structure tendency tion transmitted variability variation varieties various vary whilst wild yield Youatt