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
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Page 44
... common species vary most - Species 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 being very closely , but unequally , related to ...
... common species vary most - Species 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 being very closely , but unequally , related to ...
Page 48
... common in separated areas . How many of those birds and insects in North America and Europe , which differ very slightly from each other , have been ranked by one eminent naturalist as undoubted species , and by another as varieties ...
... common in separated areas . How many of those birds and insects in North America and Europe , which differ very slightly from each other , have been ranked by one eminent naturalist as undoubted species , and by another as varieties ...
Page 50
... common parents , and con- sequently must be ranked as varieties . Close investigation , in most cases , will bring naturalists to an agreement how to rank doubtful forms . Yet it must be confessed that it is in the best - known ...
... common parents , and con- sequently must be ranked as varieties . Close investigation , in most cases , will bring naturalists to an agreement how to rank doubtful forms . Yet it must be confessed that it is in the best - known ...
Page 53
... common , that is abound most in individuals , and the species which are most widely diffused within their own country ( and this is a different consideration from wide range , and to a certain extent from commonness ) , often give rise ...
... common , that is abound most in individuals , and the species which are most widely diffused within their own country ( and this is a different consideration from wide range , and to a certain extent from commonness ) , often give rise ...
Page 54
... common and much diffused or dominant species will be found on the side of the larger genera . This , again , might have been anticipated ; for the mere fact of many species of the same genus in- habiting any country , shows that there ...
... common and much diffused or dominant species will be found on the side of the larger genera . This , again , might have been anticipated ; for the mere fact of many species of the same genus in- habiting any country , shows that there ...
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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