The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: Or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for LifeWith his revolutionary work The Origin of Species Charles Darwin overthrew contemporary beliefs about Divine Providence and the beginnings of life on earth. Written for the general public of the 1850s, it is a rigorously documented but highly readable account of the scientific theory that now lies at the root of our present attitude to the universe. Challenging notions such as the fixity of species with the idea of natural selection, and setting forth the results of pioneering work on the ecology of animals and plants, it made a lasting contribution to philosophical and scientific thought. |
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... theother plants which first clothed the ground andthus checked the growth ofthe trees! Throw upa handful of feathers,and all mustfall to the ground according to definite laws;but how simple is this problem compared tothe action and ...
... theother plants which first clothed the ground andthus checked the growth ofthe trees! Throw upa handful of feathers,and all mustfall to the ground according to definite laws;but how simple is this problem compared tothe action and ...
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... theother inhabitants beingthus disturbed, (pp.152–3). The underlying reason,then, forthe growth ofnew species and varietiesis'that the greatest amount oflifecan be supported by great diversification ofstructure' and hence of feeding ...
... theother inhabitants beingthus disturbed, (pp.152–3). The underlying reason,then, forthe growth ofnew species and varietiesis'that the greatest amount oflifecan be supported by great diversification ofstructure' and hence of feeding ...
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... the other hand, have believed thatspecies undergo modification, and that the existing formsof life are thedescendants by true generation of pre-existingforms. Passing over allusions to the subject in the classical writers,*the ...
... the other hand, have believed thatspecies undergo modification, and that the existing formsof life are thedescendants by true generation of pre-existingforms. Passing over allusions to the subject in the classical writers,*the ...
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... the other, it appears that this eminent philosopherfelt in 1858 his confidence shaken that the Apteryx and theRed Grouse first appearedin their respective homes, 'he knew not how,' orby someprocess 'heknew notwhat.' This Address was ...
... the other, it appears that this eminent philosopherfelt in 1858 his confidence shaken that the Apteryx and theRed Grouse first appearedin their respective homes, 'he knew not how,' orby someprocess 'heknew notwhat.' This Address was ...
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Contents
INTRODUCTION | |
CHAPTER | |
ranging muchdiffused andcommon speciesvary most Species | |
CHAPTER FOUR | |
DIFFICULTIES ON THEORY | |
INSTINCT | |
making instinct Difficulties on the theory of the Natural | |
appearance in the lowest known fossiliferous strata | |
CHAPTER ELEVEN | |
Present distribution cannot be accounted for by differencesin physical conditions Importance of barriers Affinityof the productions ofthe same contin... | |
Distribution of freshwater productions On the inhabitants | |
Difficulties onthe theoryof | |
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Common terms and phrases
accumulated adapted advantage allied America amount animals appear authors become believe birds breeds bythe cause changes chapter characters climate closely common compared considered continuous crossed Darwin descendants developed difficulty distinct domestic doubt effects evidence existing explained extinct extremely facts families favourable fertility flowers formations forms genera genus geological give given greater groups habits hand havebeen Hence hybrids important improved increase individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intermediate inthe islands kinds known less living manner means migration modification namely natural selection naturalists nearly observed occasionally occur offspring ofthe onthe organs Origin parent perfect perhaps period plants points present principle probably produced range reason remarked represented resemble seeds seems separated single slight sometimes species sterility structure struggle successive supposed thatthe theory thesame tothe understand variability variations varieties vary whole widely