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 29
... distinct species . Van Mons , in his treatise on pears and apples , shows how utterly he disbelieves that the several sorts , for instance a Ribston - pippin or Codlin - apple , could ever have pro- ceeded from the seeds of the same ...
... distinct species . Van Mons , in his treatise on pears and apples , shows how utterly he disbelieves that the several sorts , for instance a Ribston - pippin or Codlin - apple , could ever have pro- ceeded from the seeds of the same ...
Page 34
... distinct object in view , to make a new strain or sub - breed , superior to anything existing in the country . But , for our purpose , a kind of Selec- tion , which may be called Unconscious , and which results from every one trying to ...
... distinct object in view , to make a new strain or sub - breed , superior to anything existing in the country . But , for our purpose , a kind of Selec- tion , which may be called Unconscious , and which results from every one trying to ...
Page 36
... distinct strains . The two flocks of Leicester sheep kept by Mr. Buckley and Mr. Burgess , as Mr. Youatt re- marks ... distinct to be ranked at their first appearance as distinct varieties , and whether or not two or more species or ...
... distinct strains . The two flocks of Leicester sheep kept by Mr. Buckley and Mr. Burgess , as Mr. Youatt re- marks ... distinct to be ranked at their first appearance as distinct varieties , and whether or not two or more species or ...
Page 40
... distinct at our poultry - shows . I think these views further explain what has sometimes been noticed — namely ... distinct name , and from being only slightly valued , their history will be disregarded . When further improved by the ...
... distinct at our poultry - shows . I think these views further explain what has sometimes been noticed — namely ... distinct name , and from being only slightly valued , their history will be disregarded . When further improved by the ...
Page 42
... distinct species ) those many admirable varieties of the strawberry which have been raised during the last thirty or forty years . In the case of animals with separate sexes , facility in preventing crosses is an important element of ...
... distinct species ) those many admirable varieties of the strawberry which have been raised during the last thirty or forty years . In the case of animals with separate sexes , facility in preventing crosses is an important element of ...
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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